The pressure of health care access
Today in New Hampshire, even routine care can now result in significant out-of-pocket expenses, leaving many families struggling to keep up. While insurance provides a layer of protection, it does not always shield patients from high deductibles, unexpected bills or the cost of ongoing care.
Programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act play a critical role in helping fill these gaps — supporting access to primary care, medications and preventive services for thousands of Granite Staters.
At the same time, providers across our state are facing increasing strain. Rural hospitals and community clinics, in particular, are navigating workforce shortages, rising operating costs and a shifting reimbursement structures. The result is a system under stress, where access to timely, local care can no longer be taken for granted.
The implications extend beyond individual patients. When access declines, costs tend to rise further, and communities lose essential services that support both public health and local economies.
This is not a partisan issue. It is a practical one. Ensuring that health care remains accessible will require sustained attention, thoughtful policy and a shared commitment to strengthening the system for the long term.
Jayme Simões heads Louis Karno & Co., the communications agency he founded in 1999. Simões also serves with Protect Our Care NH to the fight for accessible, affordable health care. He lives in Concord with his wife Laura.