A northern New Hampshire health care system is closing its office in Franconia, forcing some patients to travel farther for care.The CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services said in June that the Franconia location would be shutting down."Access to care is a challenge in a rural environment. There tend to be too few people over too many miles," said CEO Ed Shanshala. "And how do you bring the person to the care?"The Department of Health and Human Services said primary care is shrinking in rural areas, with fewer doctors available to provide care.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<"Whether we like it or not, health care in rural areas are a significant economic driver in addition to being available to deliver a baby, to set an arm for a kid who fell playing soccer," Shanshala said. "Those are important things."The new spending law that was a priority of President Donald Trump is also bringing cuts to Medicaid."Your health care premiums are going to go up," U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, said. "Your property taxes are going to go up. Your costs in New Hampshire are going to go up."Gov. Kelly Ayotte said state officials are monitoring the effects of declining federal aid."We're evaluating the impact on Medicaid, and this is important," she said.Officials said more rural hospitals will face tough financial futures with less funding for patients. Shanshala said he wants to hear from patients about their needs and priorities."The time to speak up is not after it's gone," he said. "It's pretty hard to bring it back, if at all."He said no one will lose their job when the Franconia location closes at the end of the year. Staff members will be assigned across the ACHS system.
FRANCONIA, N.H. —
A northern New Hampshire health care system is closing its office in Franconia, forcing some patients to travel farther for care.
The CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services said in June that the Franconia location would be shutting down.
"Access to care is a challenge in a rural environment. There tend to be too few people over too many miles," said CEO Ed Shanshala. "And how do you bring the person to the care?"
The Department of Health and Human Services said primary care is shrinking in rural areas, with fewer doctors available to provide care.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
"Whether we like it or not, health care in rural areas are a significant economic driver in addition to being available to deliver a baby, to set an arm for a kid who fell playing soccer," Shanshala said. "Those are important things."
The new spending law that was a priority of President Donald Trump is also bringing cuts to Medicaid.
"Your health care premiums are going to go up," U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, said. "Your property taxes are going to go up. Your costs in New Hampshire are going to go up."
Gov. Kelly Ayotte said state officials are monitoring the effects of declining federal aid.
"We're evaluating the impact on Medicaid, and this is important," she said.
Officials said more rural hospitals will face tough financial futures with less funding for patients. Shanshala said he wants to hear from patients about their needs and priorities.
"The time to speak up is not after it's gone," he said. "It's pretty hard to bring it back, if at all."
He said no one will lose their job when the Franconia location closes at the end of the year. Staff members will be assigned across the ACHS system.
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