New Hampshire is making history this year with the passage of a bill that will allow young adults to purchase low cost health coverage directly from the state. Proponents of health care coverage expansion are counting their victory that came in the midst of so many budget cuts.

Senator Kathleen Sgambatti who sponsored the bill, wrote in a guest column "This is smart policy for the state. Young adults are among the healthiest and least expensive to insure. They’re also the age group least likely to be insured. Too often they assume they’re immune to accident or illness until circumstances prove otherwise."

The legislation allows young adults at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level to buy into New Hampshire Healthy Kids if they don’t have access to insurance through their parents. New Hampshire Healthy Kids is a non-profit organization providing access to low-cost and free health coverage options for New Hampshire’s uninsured children and teens. NHHK works in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Northeast Delta Dental, hospitals, community health centers, healthcare providers, schools and social service agencies across New Hampshire to connect uninsured children with the healthcare services they need to stay healthy and go to school ready to learn. »NHKK in the News

ECM in New Hampshire supported the passage of this bill from its inception, members of the ECMNH staff testified throughout the hearing process.  We’d like to applaud our New Hampshire staff for their hard work and dedication in expanding health coverage for the young people of their state.