New Hampshire State Sen. Kahn Files Legislation to Address Medicaid to Schools Reimbursement Issues

CONCORD, New Hampshire, Dec. 5 -- The New Hampshire State Senate issued the following news release on the behalf of State Sen. Jay Kahn, D-Keene:

Today, Senator Jay Kahn announced the filing of legislation intended to restore fully the Medicaid to School program. In limbo currently is up to $29 million in federal Medicaid reimbursement to New Hampshire public schools this school year. LSR 2909 enables school districts to continue qualifying for Medicaid reimbursements for medically necessary services provided to Medicaid eligible students by defining a Medicaid compliant public school delivery system.

After the filing, prime sponsor Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) and co-sponsor Representative Dave Luneau (D-Hopkinton) released the following statements:

"The Medicaid to Schools program, which has been in place for three decades, has been a vital resource to increase access to critical services within and beyond the school setting, including speech therapy, mental health services, and physical therapy. Unfortunately, millions of dollars in federal funding that reimburse schools for those services are currently in jeopardy because of the emergency rules from the Sununu administration," said Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene). "I am proud to lead the legislative effort to ensure New Hampshire students continue to receive the medical services they need and that their schools can be appropriately reimbursed for providing those services. I look forward to working with colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the governor's office, to pass this legislation and put the appropriate rules in place quickly so that the medical services students need are delivered consistently within and beyond school settings, reimbursement to schools for those services are maximized, and the billing for those services meets state and federal requirements."

Representative Dave Luneau (D-Hopkinton) added, "This year the legislature provided historic investments in education funding including a return to 100% stabilization aid, but without a legislative fix to the Medicaid to Schools program school districts will see part of that state investment vanish to cover the costs of these vital student services. The House will work quickly, with our colleagues in the Senate, and pass legislation that will ensure students have access to these medically necessary services, including mental health services and speech and physical therapy."