New Futures' Statement on the House State Budget Proposal

CONCORD, N.H.--This afternoon, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to finalize its 2026–27 state budget proposal. The House budget demonstrates a commitment to cutting essential services rather than putting the needs of New Hampshire people at the forefront.

Among the most notable proposals is a three percent cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates, which will likely impact every Granite Stater in New Hampshire. Lower reimbursement rates will affect the bottom line of New Hampshire’s hospitals and health care providers and put strains on our health care workforce.

“If enacted, these proposed cuts will certainly have an impact on the lives, dignity, and futures of Granite Staters,” said Kate Frey, Vice President of Advocacy at New Futures. “The people who will feel these cuts the hardest are families struggling to make ends meet, older adults dependent on critical support services, people accessing treatment and recovery for substance use, health care providers reliant on state investment, and working individuals who rely on basic health care and economic opportunities.”

New Hampshire must put People First to build a thriving state. The state budget reflects our state’s collective commitment to ensuring that every resident of New Hampshire has the opportunity to thrive, not just survive. The proposed budget recommendations instead prioritize narrow fiscal goals over human needs.

HB 1 and HB 2, the state budget bills, include the following concerns:

• Changing the funding structure for the Alcohol Fund, which funds prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programming across New Hampshire. The proposed changes may limit the scope of the work to opioid-related programming only.
• 3% cut to Medicaid reimbursement rates, which would further strain our health care system, reduce access to care for our most vulnerable residents, and potentially force some providers to limit Medicaid services or close their doors entirely.
• A 19 million per year reduction in funding to the Community Mental Health Program, which provides critical resources for mental health services throughout the state. These cuts would affect Community Mental Health Centers, the state’s Mission Zero program, and the state’s Rapid Response mobile crisis teams.
• Suspension of State Loan Repayment Program enrollment, which helps with health care workforce shortages by providing funds to health care professionals working in underserved areas.
• Elimination of the Tobacco Control Program, which works to reduce tobacco use and protect public health.
• Elimination of the Office of Child Advocate, which works to ensure that no child in New Hampshire is in an unsafe situation.
• Elimination of the New Hampshire Commission on Aging, which helps the state receive federal funding for Older American Act funds.
• Elimination of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which works to limit prescription drug costs for New Hampshire households.
• Elimination of four filled positions at the Department of Education, which help implement prevention and student wellness programming in schools across the state.

The budget bills, HB 1 and HB 2, will now cross over to the Senate for further work.

"While we are deeply concerned by the current budget, we remain committed to working collaboratively with both the House of Representatives and the Senate," said Frey. "We look forward to working together to transform this budget into a plan that truly puts the people of New Hampshire first. Our state's future depends on our ability to craft solutions that lift up every community."