New Harvard-NYU Study Shows the Devastating Effects of Repealing Medicaid Expansion for Combating the Substance Abuse Crisis

New Harvard-NYU Study Shows the Devastating Effects of Repealing Medicaid Expansion for Combating the Substance Abuse Crisis

Separate Report from HHS Shows that States Hit Hardest by Opioid Crisis, Including New Hampshire, Would Be Among Most Affected if ACA Coverage Gains were Rolled Back

WASHINGTON - Today, Harvard Medical School and New York University released a data analysis showing the devastating effects that repealing Medicaid expansion would have on New Hampshire's ability to combat the heroin and opioid crisis. If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, over 50,000 Granite Staters will lose access to behavioral health care services, including substance abuse treatment programs. The analysis also shows that nationwide, over $5 billion in behavioral health care services will no longer be covered, including access to substance abuse treatment programs that are critical to combating the heroin, fentanyl and opioid crisis.

A separate report released today by the United States Department of Health and Human Services also found that states that have been hardest hit by the opioid crisis, including New Hampshire, would be most affected if the Affordable Care Act coverage gains were rolled back. The report found that uninsured rates in New Hampshire could more than triple if the Affordable Care Act was repealed.

"This new information outlining the devastating impact that repealing health coverage from millions of Americans would have on our ability to combat the heroin, fentanyl and opioid crisis is highly concerning," said Senator Maggie Hassan. "Access to behavior health and substance abuse treatment services is critical to our ability to fight the substance abuse crisis in New Hampshire, which is why I recently introduced an amendment to protect medical assisted treatment coverage. I will fight any attempts to undermine this critical coverage."

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