With the recent passage of the state budget, the 2019 legislative session is finally coming to a close. Thanks to the help and support of our hundreds of advocates, session was overwhelmingly successful for New Futures in advancing public health in the Granite State. Our collective efforts have led to the defeat and passage of many critical bills and the eventual agreement on a state budget that invests in many public health priorities.

This bipartisan budget compromise addresses several important areas of need facing the health and wellness of Granite Staters. This includes increased Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are essential to building a workforce better equipped to address the ongoing addiction and mental health crises, support for critical programs and services including substance use and mental treatment, a comprehensive children’s system of care, and Early Childhood supports like Medicaid home visiting. In addition to the state budget, lawmakers acted on a number of bills impacting the health of our state.

by Lisa Vasquez, NHPHA Communications Committee Co-Chair

As New Hampshire was getting ready to raise the age of tobacco sales to 19 on January 1, 2020, the age of sale of tobacco products nationwide was raised from age 18 to age 21. This is a win for public health as we know that the number of teenagers using tobacco products including vaping products has been increasing in the past years. Tobacco 21 was already the law in 16 states, and many national chains had already raised the age of tobacco sales to age 21 to have one policy throughout the country. What outcomes do we expect from raising the age by three years for the sale of tobacco products?