SAVE CHaD

TO: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Providers and Staff FROM: Frank McDougall, Vice President, Government Relations RE: NH Medicaid Cuts DATE: March 6, 2009 Governor Lynch has proposed a State Budget that dramatically underfunds Medicaid payments to hospitals. Dartmouth-Hitchcock needs your help to stop it. The Governor's proposed budget will reduce Medicaid payments to Dartmouth-Hitchcock by approximately $10 million over the next two years, bringing our total loss treating NH Medicaid patients to more than $40 million a year. Because of Dartmouth-Hitchcock's unique role as a provider of pediatric specialty services, these cuts hurt CHaD the most. Ironically, New Hampshire has already begun to receive $250 million in enhanced funding - intended specifically for Medicaid - from the federal economic stimulus package. The NH House of Representatives is now reviewing the proposed budget and will decide whether to accept the Governor's recommendations or make changes. We need your help to convince the House of Representatives and the Governor to use federal Medicaid dollars to reverse the cuts to CHaD. We all know that these are unprecedented economic times. As an institution and with the help of our physicians and staff, Dartmouth-Hitchcock is taking a variety of measures to meet the financial challenges we face. It's rare that we ask employees to be politically active on our behalf ­ but this is one of those times. Dartmouth-Hitchcock employees live and work in all parts of New Hampshire; as individuals, you have a unique ability to reach legislators throughout the entire state. If you feel strongly about these Medicaid cuts, I encourage you to call, write or email NH State Representatives during the month of March. I also encourage you to e-mail Governor Lynch. For detailed information on the Medicaid cuts and important directions on how to contact elected officials, go to the DH Government Relations Intranet site: <http://intranet.hitchcock.org/cgp/webpage.cfm?site_id=3&org_id=110&morg_id=0&gsec_id=7922&item_id=32525> . During the next couple weeks, Dartmouth-Hitchcock will conduct a multi-faceted advocacy initiative to reverse the Medicaid cuts. We will have a constant presence at the State House during the budget process. CHaD leaders will testify at regional state budget public hearings. An advocacy ad will appear in newspapers throughout the state beginning this weekend. The ad will also be displayed in CHaD waiting areas. The goal is to raise awareness about the Medicaid cuts and issue a call to action among people who are concerned about CHaD. Your personal contact with state legislators is the most important part of our initiative. If you have questions, please contact me or Gina Balkus, Director of Government Relations, on blitzmail. Thank you in advance for your help on this important issue.