Senator Hassan Highlights Importance of Medicaid Expansion in Fight Against Substance Misuse at Farnum Center

Senator Hassan Highlights Importance of Medicaid Expansion in Fight Against Substance Misuse at Farnum Center

Senator Maggie Hassan at the Farnum Center

MANCHESTER - TODAY, Senator Maggie Hassan visited the Farnum Center, a comprehensive alcohol and other drug treatment facility, to discuss how harmful the impact of repealing Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act would be on New Hampshire's efforts to combat the heroin, fentanyl and opioid crisis.

Senator Hassan was joined by Farnum Center Senior Vice President Cheryl Wilkie and Director of Substance Abuse Services Christine Weber, New Futures Policy Director Michele Merritt and Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard, among others. She was also joined by Ashley Hurteau, a Granite Stater who was able to get substance abuse treatment because of Medicaid expansion. Hurteau is now in recovery and working at Safe Harbor Recovery Center to help others struggling with addiction.

"I commend the Farnum Center for working to expand treatment capacity in the Granite State through its facilities in Manchester and Franklin," said Senator Hassan. "Eliminating New Hampshire's bipartisan Medicaid expansion plan would take away access to substance abuse and behavioral health services for thousands of Granite Staters like Ashley who are seeking help in the battle against addiction. I will continue to stand up for the people of New Hampshire and strongly fight any efforts to take away Granite Staters' health insurance coverage."

"Thanks to Medicaid expansion, I was able to access life-saving substance misuse treatment services after struggling with addiction for more than a decade," said Ashley Hurteau. "Because of my health coverage under Medicaid expansion, I am now in recovery, working at Safe Harbor Recovery Center to help others struggling with addiction and on track to regain custody of my 3-year-old son. I don't know where I would be today without this health coverage."

As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Hassan is focused on supporting states' efforts to increase treatment, prevent and recovery services. The Senator is also focused on strengthening law enforcement and drug interdiction efforts through her work on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Last week, Senator Hassan opposed a Senate measure that paves the way toward repealing health coverage for tens of thousands of Granite Staters -- including coverage for substance abuse treatment and behavior health services. Senator Hassan is also a co-sponsor on a number of budget amendments to help protect Medicaid expansion and access to substance misuse services.