Medicare provides health insurance coverage to more than 344,000 adults ages 65+ in New Hampshire.1 But Medicare doesn't cover everything—people still pay monthly premiums, co-pays when they see the doctor, and deductibles before their coverage kicks in. For many, these out-of-pocket costs are hard to afford. New Hampshire’s Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help pay for these costs, but far too many low-income older adults still don’t qualify.
In 2026, New Futures and the New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging are supporting SB 545 to help more older adults qualify for MSPs and afford their health care.
Share Your Story
Have you or a family member been impacted by medical costs not covered by Medicare?
Share your story about the hidden costs of Medicare to help us show lawmakers that Granite Staters need relief.
Please consider the following questions when telling your story:
- Have you struggled to pay your Medicare Part B premium (monthly cost)?
- Have you ever delayed getting medical care because of the cost?
- Have you ever been surprised by a medical bill and struggled to pay it?
- Have medical costs impacted your ability to pay for other expenses, like groceries or housing? Have you ever had to choose between paying a medical bill or another expense?
Need help? Contact Martha McLeod (Vice President of Community Engagement) for help taking action or Judith Jones (Healthy Aging Policy Coordinator) with policy questions.
About the Bill
SB 545 would help more older adults afford their health care by removing the financial savings limit on Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). Right now, people are denied help if they have more than $9,660 in savings (or $14,470 for a married couple)2—regardless of how little income they have.
MSPs provide real financial relief by paying for the Medicare Part B premium of $203 per month, and in some cases the annual deductibles (what you pay before Medicare kicks in) and 20% coinsurance (your portion of the bill after that) as well. For someone on a fixed income, saving $203 every month or more could mean the difference between paying for medication or the electric bill.
There's also an added benefit: automatic help with prescriptions. When people qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, they automatically qualify for federal help paying for prescriptions (called the “Extra Help” or Medicare LIS program)—at no extra cost to New Hampshire.
This bill will put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of those Granite Staters who need help with monthly expenses and also help lower prescription costs.
By the Numbers: The Cost of Aging in NH
A look at the numbers show why MSPs are important for Granite Staters on fixed incomes. A single older adult in New Hampshire needs about $2,828 per month just to cover the basics: rent ($1,165), food ($324), transportation ($301), health care ($593), and other necessities ($445).3 Someone earning $1,700 a month is already short of what they need, and if they have $10,000 in savings for emergencies, they're denied help with their Medicare costs under current MSP financial eligibility rules.
Bill Status
December 2025: The bill was assigned as SB 545 and its text was released. Next, it will be assigned to a Senate committee for review and a public hearing.
September 2025: The bill was introduced and a legislative service request was filed.
To learn more about how a bill becomes a law, visit our About the Legislature webpage sign up for a New Futures advocacy training.
References
- KFF. (2024). Total number of Medicare beneficiaries by type of coverage. State Health Facts. Retrieved December 12, 2025 from https://www.kff.org/medicare/state-indicator/total-medicare-beneficiaries.
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Family Assistance. (2025, October). New Hampshire Bureau of Family Assistance (BFA) Program Fact Sheet. https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/bfa-progam-fact-sheet.pdf
- Elder Index (2024). The Elder Index™ [New Hampshire]. Boston, MA: Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston. Retrieved December 12, 2025 from https://elderindex.org/explore.
