Co-Chair of Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee Invites Governor Hassan to Explain Status of MOU


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8th, 2013
Contact: 603-271-3665
 
Co-Chair of Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee Invites Governor Hassan to Explain Status of MOU
 
CONCORD – Today John B. Hunt (R-Rindge), Co-Chair of the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee, hand delivered the following letter to Governor Hassan’s office, inviting her to attend the committee’s meeting Tuesday morning. In prior communication with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Governor referenced explicitly that, “This letter of intent is provided with the understanding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the expectations, roles and responsibilities of the State of New Hampshire in a Partnership Exchange will not impose a cost on the state’s general fund or create new state programs.” It is the impression of Rep. Hunt and of others on the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee that despite previous commitments, an MOU is no longer being pursued.
 
The letter is attached and reads as follows:
 
Governor Margaret Hassan
State House
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
 
April 8th, 2013
 
Your Excellency,
 
As you are aware, the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee will be meeting at 8:00A.M. on Tuesday, April 8, in room 302 of the LOB.  The committee is planning to review and possibly approve the MOU between the State of New Hampshire and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as referenced in your letter of intent to the Secretary on February 13, 2012.  (“This letter of intent is provided with the understanding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the expectations, roles, and responsibilities of the State of New Hampshire in a Partnership Exchange will not impose a cost on the state’s general fund or create new state programs.”)
 
Unfortunately, we have been unable to obtain a copy of the MOU from your staff or the Department of Insurance after repeated requests.  Most recently they have informed us they have unilaterally decided not to execute an MOU despite approval of the partnership letter which included the requirement of a MOU, as well as your previous commitment to work in collaboration with the state legislature on such a document to ensure that New Hampshire maintains flexibility and taxpayers are protected financially.  If true, this is very troubling development.
 
Like you, we wish to work collaboratively with the executive branch to ensure that if New Hampshire moves forward with a Partnership Exchange we do so in a way that promotes preservation of private health insurance to the greatest degree possible, minimizes overhead and administrative expenses of the exchange, promotes competition and consumer choice, and preserves the state’s insurance regulatory authority and the state’s flexibility in determining Medicaid eligibility standards, program design, and operations.  That is exactly what the MOU is supposed to help us do.
 
Therefore, as co-chairman of the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee I am respectfully requesting that you attend our meeting on April 8th so that we can discuss the status of the MOU and the process for moving forward.  If due to the late date of this letter you are unable to attend please send whoever in your office is authorized to discuss this issue on your behalf.
 
Respectfully,
 
Rep. John Hunt
 
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Teens Robbed of I-pod/Cell Phone

 

MANCHESTER, NH- On Monday, February 11, 2013, at about 6:30 PM, Manchester Police responded to a Clay Street address for a report of a robbery.  On arrival, they met with two 16 year old Manchester teens who reported they had been the victims of a robbery a short time earlier on Somerville Street, near Belmont Street.

 

According to the boys, they were walking in the area when they were approached by two men, one of whom demanded their belongings, indicating his companion had a gun, although no gun was observed.

 

One of the boys surrendered his I-pod Nano and Galaxy S3 cell phone and the men left.  They were last seen leaving the area as passengers in an older, dark colored 4-door sedan operated by a third individual who was possibly wearing a red sweatshirt.

 

The first suspect was described as a white male in his forties, about 6’3” tall with a slender build and dark “stubble” on his face.  He was last seen wearing a dark colored vest and a green “beanie” style hat.  The second man, alleged to have possessed a gun, was described as a clean-shaven white male in his forties with an average height and build.  He was last seen wearing a camouflage shirt and khaki pants.

 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 668-8711.  Anonymous tips for cash rewards can be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org.