New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s child mental health bill stalled by House – Valley News
Despite strong support from Gov. Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire lawmakers rejected a bill that would have required private insurers to cover a state-run mental health program for children.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to send Senate Bill 498 to interim study, delaying action on legislation that would have required private insurers to help fund the state’s Families and Systems Together (FAST) Forward program.
It’s a wraparound care model that provides personalized services such as peer support, crisis planning, and family-focused care for patients aged 5 to 21.
Ayotte, in a statement, said she is disappointed to see “elected representatives choose subsidizing insurance companies over kids’ mental health care.”
“I’m not giving up on this, and I’ll continue working to ensure our children — and their families — get the care and support they need,” she said.
The decision leaves the state and taxpayers on the hook to cover roughly $2 million annually for commercially insured children who rely on the program but do not qualify for Medicaid.
After the House voted down the bill, John Hunt, the chair of the House commerce committee, said Republicans agree with Ayotte that children’s mental health coverage is a serious issue, but said the bill is not the right solution and should not be addressed through a “hasty, last-second Hail Mary.”
“We look forward to studying this issue and devising a sensible and measured approach that satisfies all parties and prioritizes patient care and quality,” he wrote in a statement. “I warmly invite Governor Ayotte to join us this fall as we work on the issue. Together, Republicans, Democrats and the corner office have the opportunity to come together and deliver a reasonable solution for the people of New Hampshire.”
The bill was sent to an interim study in a 188-164 vote.
Insurers push back
The FAST Forward program coordinates services tailored to each child’s needs, helping families access mental health care, crisis support, care coordination, and other resources aimed at improving long-term outcomes.
The program’s effectiveness comes from its wraparound approach, which bundles services together.
But private insurers typically cover only some services rather than the full scope of services provided.
Ayotte has directed much of her criticism at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which insures the largest share of children enrolled in the FAST Forward program.
Jim Turner, a spokesperson for the insurance company, called Ayotte’s criticisms of the insurance industry on this issue “inaccurate and misleading.”
“Over the past two years, Anthem has taken significant steps to increase access to mental healthcare for children and adults and to reduce barriers to that access – including being the first insurer to eliminate copayments and other forms of cost share for all children and teens for these services,” he wrote in a statement.
For families who do not qualify for a Medicaid waiver, the state spends roughly $2 million annually in taxpayer dollars to cover the program for commercially-insured children.
While opponents of the bill characterized it as a tax on insurance companies, state Rep. Julie Miles pushed back on that framing.
She said the bill is about affordability, healthcare access, and holding large insurance companies responsible for the coverage paid for by their customers.
“If insurance companies collect the premiums, they should help provide the care,” she said.
State’s burden
In recent weeks, there have been negotiations between the insurance companies, particularly Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, to address the issue, but no solution has been reached.
“Despite the recent unwarranted attacks, we will continue working in good faith with the state and care providers on this issue.
Mental health advocates view the FAST Forward program as a way to prevent children from deteriorating to the point of requiring costly inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.
Recent data from the state Department of Health and Human Services show that, over a 12-month period, New Hampshire’s general fund paid for wraparound services for about 89 commercially insured children, with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield covering the largest share of children enrolled in the FAST Forward program at 25.
Morissa Henn, deputy commissioner at DHHS, said New Hampshire has spent five years studying the issue and that taxpayers need not continue covering services that should be paid for by private insurers.
“The need is urgent and the status quo is not sustainable,” she said. “Families with commercial insurance coverage cannot keep waiting, and taxpayers cannot continue absorbing the cost of clinically necessary services for our children that should be covered by private insurance.”
While the annual cost for a child in FAST Forward ranges from roughly $45,000 to $65,000, an inpatient psychiatric stay, such as at Hampstead Hospital, can cost about $1,500 per night.
Hunt said on the House floor that, although the program is effective, some of its services extend beyond traditional mental health care, including respite care for caregivers and assigning a case worker.
Hunt said he believes the program would be more appropriately funded through Medicaid.
“Personally, I think the FAST Forward program should be funded by Medicaid,” he said. “If it’s good enough for kids who are on Medicaid, it should be good enough for kids who have health insurance.”
CONCORD, NH — Concord fire and rescue teams, as well as the forestry unit, were sent to a homeless camp fire off Fort Eddy Road on Saturday morning.
Around 1 a.m., a Concord police officer, who was patrolling near the Everett Arena on Loudon Road, reported seeing a fire in the woods across the river. The officer told dispatch they thought it might be behind the former Shaw’s supermarket.
“It looks like a pretty large fire,” they said, “I’m going to head there.”
Police dispatch contacted Concord Fire Alarm, which sent firefighters and the forestry unit to the scene.
The first-arriving officer said the fire was behind Lowe’s, but the best access was from Fort Eddy Plaza. After additional police arrived, they entered the woods to find the camp. Firefighters then arrived at the scene.
After about 10 minutes, officers discovered the exact location of the camp and the fire and reported there were several people in the area.
The fire battalion commander said they would be sending in “a little bucket brigade to put it out.”
New Hampshire
Man From Weare Arrested On Stalking Charge After Gas Station Incident: Concord Police Log
CONCORD, NH — Kyle G. Sanders, born in 1988, of Manchester, was arrested at 11:03 a.m. on May 27 on a warrant. He was arrested at police headquarters.
Sean P. Lambert, born in 1992, of Concord, was arrested at 2:13 a.m. on May 25 on a bench warrant following an investigation or incident at the Durgin Block Garage at 17 School St.
Matthew C. Milne, born in 1980, of Concord, was arrested at 7:44 p.m. on May 24 on theft by unauthorized taking a felony due to two prior convictions, and willful concealment following an investigation or incident at the Speedway at 175 N. Main St.
Kristen L. Macrae, born in 1991, of Pittsfield, was arrested at 8:23 p.m. on May 23 on three warrants. She was arrested following an investigation or incident on Ferry Street.
Jeremiah J. Martel, born in 1978, of Weare, was arrested on a stalking charge at 7:01 p.m. on May 22 following an investigation or incident at the Shell gas station at 333 Loudon Road.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Mark D. Yeskis, born in 1972, of Concord, was arrested at 7:52 p.m. on May 12 on criminal trespass and breach of bail charges. He was arrested following an investigation or incident at the Speedway gas station at 175 N. Main St.
Dakota Austin Marsh, born in 1994, of Concord, was arrested at 10:01 a.m. on May 12 on camping restricted and generic city ordinance violations following an investigation or incident on Pleasant Street Extension.
Dylan Joshua Lawler, born in 2001, of Deering, received a summons at 9:13 a.m. on May 12 on a conduct after an accident charge following an investigation or incident on Washington Street.
Dain Austin Blackadar Jr., born in 1990, of Concord, was arrested at 1:54 a.m. on May 12 on a bench warrant and two warrants. Also arrested was John L. Taylor, born in 1992, of Concord, on a warrant. They were both arrested following an investigation or incident on Ferry Street.
Matthew P. Lyons, born in 1969, of Concord, was arrested at 12:42 a.m. on May 12 on simple assault, domestic violence-simple assault, and criminal mischief charges. He was arrested following an investigation or incident on Alton Woods Drive.
Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 217 communities — and expanding every day. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.
New Hampshire
Manchester Man Indicted On Pembroke Child Assault Charges: Merrimack County Superior Court Roundup
CONCORD, NH — A grand jury in Merrimack County recently indicted the individuals listed below.
Robert S. Bzdula III, 23, of West Chrisco Road in Seagrove, North Carolina, on a felony count of attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault. He was accused of exposing his erect penis in front of a child under 13 between Dec. 1, 2022, and July 26, 2025, in Dunbarton.
John Camden, 42, a homeless man now located in Concord, on a felony controlled drug, prohibited-fentanyl, on Jan. 6 in Concord.
Timothy Casey, 24, a member of Concord’s unhoused community, on a felony receiving stolen property charge. He was accused of possessing stolen copper pipes from Yamas on South Main Street in Concord, on March 18.
Keyan Chambers, 30, of Brown Avenue in Manchester, on second-degree assault and second-degree assault-attempt charges. He was accused of assaulting a child in Pembroke, causing hemorrhaging to his neck on March 27, 2025. Between March 1 and March 31, 2025, Chambers pushed the child against the wall, “toward the commission of… strangulation,” according to an indictment, in Pembroke.
Megan R. Champagne, 40, a homeless woman now located in Concord, on a felony count of conspiracy to commit theft by unauthorized taking. She agreed with David King to steal a tent from Target in Concord on Dec. 10, 2025, according to the indictment.
Sarai J. Chapman, 35, of Spofford Street in Claremont, on a felony possession of methamphetamine charge on Nov. 25, 2025, in Henniker.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Merrimack County Superior Court and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Amanda S. Colgan, 38, of Main Street in Claremont, on a felony count of controlled drug act; acts prohibited-meth in Bradford on Dec. 30, 2025.
Jay Thomas Johnson, 50, of Woodbryer Avenue in Greensborough, North Carolina, on a felony count of identity fraud. He was accused of posing as another and requesting the man’s detailed banking information at Merrimack County Savings Bank in Concord on Oct. 6, 2025.
Matthew W. Kelly, 46, with a last known address of Robie Road in Salisbury, on a felony count of penalty; registration of criminal offenders. He was accused of failing to let Concord police of his residence on Feb. 2. Kelly is a Tier III sex offender due to a rape conviction in Massachusetts in September 2003.
Stephanie M. Kelly, 37, of Pheasant Lane in Manchester, on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-meth charge on May 8, 2024, in Hooksett.
Kayleigh King, 23, of Union Street in Concord, on a felony assault by prisoners charge. While in the Merrimack County Jail in Boscawen, she was accused of kicking a corrections officer in the stomach on Feb. 20.
Timothy J. Leclair, 45, of Canterbury, on possession of fentanyl and possession of a fentanyl and meth mix charges, both felonies, on May 4, 2025, in Hooksett.
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