New Hampshire families caring for medically complex children have seen sudden reductions in home nursing hours, threatening their ability to keep children at home. The cuts affect more than 160 children enrolled in the Katie Beckett Medicaid program.
Charlotte Guptill, a two‑year‑old with underdeveloped lungs and other serious conditions, relies on her father Adryan, a licensed nursing assistant, for round‑the‑clock care. Her mother Hillary says the family’s 60 hours of paid nursing were cut to 48 in May without notice, leaving them without a caregiver.
The Medicaid managed care organizations — WellSense Health Plan, AmeriHealth Caritas and NH Healthy Families — eliminated hours without explanation, prompting the state to require a 30‑day notice and review process. While the state temporarily reinstated the hours through November, the relief is only short‑term and families remain uncertain about future coverage.
The reductions were triggered by federal policy changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the end of pandemic‑era Medicaid recertifications, which forced insurers to impose cost controls. As a result, families face financial peril, loss of income up to 50%, and the risk that they will be unable to provide safe home care, leading to possible institutionalization.
Governor Kelly Ayotte and state officials intervened, mandating written notice of any authorization changes and requiring managed care organizations to clear modifications with the Department of Health and Human Services. Parent groups such as NH Families for Home Nursing have organized to press for more systematic protections and accountability.
Caregiver wages have remained around $20 to $22 per hour since 2023, a rate unchanged for a decade, contributing to staffing shortages across the state. Agencies report disrupted staffing schedules from Nashua to the North Country, further straining families who depend on parent caregivers.
Denise Gray, who cares for her 13‑year‑old daughter Brooklynn with cystic fibrosis, saw her authorized nursing hours drop to 22.5 and now fears that full hours may not return, jeopardizing her income and housing stability. She has already taken on additional work and is considering a full‑time job, while her family lives on a tight budget.
With temporary reinstatements set to expire, families fear renewed cuts that could force them to place medically complex children in institutions, a prospect they describe as devastating. Experts warn that without stable funding, the home‑care model that keeps children out of hospitals and supports family stability may collapse.
Source: www.concordmonitor.com
