CONCORD, N.H. – A House committee will hear testimony on a bill that would reauthorize New Hampshire's Medicaid Expansion program.

Rebecca Woitkowski, the early childhood policy coordinator for the advocacy organization New Futures Kids Count, says the expansion plays an integral role in the state's health care network because when parents are healthy, children benefit.

"Medicaid expansion is important for not only the individual who is receiving the care they need from it, but it has a larger impact on the well-being of our children, and therefore the well-being of our future," she explains.

Carrie Duran of Wolfeboro is among the 50,000 people covered under expansion. As a single mom who works part-time while caring for a father with Alzheimer's and a daughter with Down Syndrome, she says the coverage is essential.

"I have to be able to stay healthy to take care of my family," she says. "If I'm not going for my well-visits, then I'm not going to be of any use to anyone."

Duran has testified before lawmakers several times regarding Medicaid expansion. She explains the drive to Concord is worth it so lawmakers can see firsthand who is benefiting from the program.

"We're not a number," Duran adds. "We are not a line on a page. We are a family who needs this in order to be better citizens and productive and healthy and happy."

Woitkowski stresses that continued expansion is especially crucial because Medicaid is the state's best tool in fighting the opioid epidemic.

"Medicaid expansion has allowed New Hampshire to double our substance-use treatment capacity," Woitkowski says. "So by helping parents get treatment and get healthy, Medicaid expansion is leading to less adverse childhood experiences in our children."

Senate Bill 313 calls for an expansion of Medicaid for five years instead of two, and for the first time includes a work requirement. The Senate passed the bill with a 17-7 vote.

Some opponents said the work requirement is not strong enough and will allow too many exceptions, while others argued expansion is a costly entitlement.


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A new study showed costs are rising for caring for Hoosiers with Alzheimer's disease and forms of dementia.

The report indicated nearly 122,000 residents age 65 and older are living with the health conditions. The 2025 Alzheimer's disease Facts and Figures report showed Indiana has 219,000 unpaid family caregivers, who cost the state almost $7 billion annually.

Natalie Sutton, executive director of the Greater Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, said knowing the difference between the two disorders is important for an accurate diagnosis.

"Dementia is an umbrella term that represents a set of symptoms that are known with cognitive impairment, memory loss, and ultimately an impact on activities of daily living," Sutton explained. "Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease that is the most significant cause of someone developing dementia, or those symptoms that we know."

The timing of a diagnosis can influence the quality of life for someone with Alzheimer's disease and dementia symptoms, which can be present in the brain for years prior to detection. Alzheimer's and dementia are unique and personal illnesses, Sutton pointed out, so the frequency and type of care provided should be tailored to a patient's needs.

Forgetting what day it is or misplacing routinely used items are often mistaken for general age-related changes instead of Alzheimer's or dementia. The report found almost four of five Americans would want to know if they have the disease before symptoms surface due to concerns over how a diagnosis could affect daily activities. Sutton noted science is addressing the concerns.

"We can detect and diagnose Alzheimer's with biomarkers like imaging and cerebral spinal fluid, and there are blood tests now that are being used in research settings that are proven to be highly effective," Sutton outlined.

In 2024, Indiana passed a bill requiring insurance companies to cover biomarker testing. Sutton added two Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments to slow the progression of Alzheimer's are covered by most insurance companies and Medicare.

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The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is reporting a second confirmed measles case in March, in a child who was traveling through the state while seeking treatment.

The first reported case this year occurred in an adult Kentucky resident in February. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through the air that can cause serious health complications.

Cody Kemmer, communications coordinator with Kentucky Voices for Health, said declining vaccination rates in the state have allowed measles to start spreading again.

"Kentucky already had one of the lowest MMR coverages in the nation, and that brings us to our lowest coverage in seven years," said Kemmer. "In fact, we've got lower statewide coverage than some of those states that are currently experiencing outbreaks, so we are vulnerable."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said as of May 1, 935 confirmed measles cases have been reported nationwide. Nearly all involve people who were unvaccinated or unsure about their vaccination status.

According to state data, vaccination rates among Kentucky kindergartners have dropped to levels lower than before the pandemic.

Kemmer said the disruption caused by COVID-19 set many families off track.

"With the pandemic, many families fell behind on their routine checkups and wellness visits," said Kemmer. "That delay created a lag in staying current with the CDC schedule for recommended vaccines."

He added that the end of the school year is a good time to start making doctor's appointments, especially for new families navigating immunization schedules.

"We want to encourage families to be proactive and make an immunization plan for their family," said Kemmer. "Staying on track with those recommended immunizations, like the MMR vaccine, lets families enjoy their summer."

A recent poll by the health policy research organization KFF found nearly a quarter of participants believed false claims about measles vaccinations and have not had their child vaccinated.



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Groups advocating for better access to health care have introduced what they call "Care4All California," a package of 13 bills designed to shore up the health system as the state braces for the possibility of huge cuts in federal funding for Medi-Cal.

The bills aim to get more people insured, connect them to care and make health care more affordable.

Chris Noble, organizing director for the nonprofit Health Access California, explained the group's priorities.

"It's crucial that our State Legislature shows their commitment to advancing a universal, affordable and equitable health care system," Noble emphasized. "This year's package of legislative and budget priorities requires no interventions by the federal government and should be adopted to safeguard our health care system in case there are federal attacks."

One bill would make sure people with Medicare supplemental insurance cannot be penalized for having preexisting conditions. Another would require hospitals to prescreen all patients to see if they are eligible for discounted or charity care programs. A third bill would allow undocumented people access to health plans on the CoveredCA exchange. Opponents cited cost concerns.

Noble emphasized the bills build on the progress California has made to lower its uninsured rate.

"These priorities will continue to cover gaps within our health care system, ensure that when people are denied or delayed care, there's certain accountability, or ensure that folks are getting access to accurate and up-to-date provider directories," Noble outlined.

Advocates have also made a number of budget requests, including one to give kids who qualify for Medi-Cal continuous coverage from birth to age 5, rather than making their parents reapply every year.