(Claremont, NH) - Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) visited Valley Regional Hospital and West Central Behavioral Health’s Substance Use Services facility, where she toured the sites and met with staff and leadership.  These visits are part of Kuster’s listening tour of hospitals and healthcare centers in New Hampshire’s second congressional district, which she kicked off in February. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Kuster will highlight the perspective of Granite Staters as she works to lower costs and increase access to healthcare. Earlier this month, the full Energy and Commerce Committee advanced Kuster’s legislation, the Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act (HR 986). This legislation would revoke Section 1332 guidance released by the Trump Administration’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on October 22, 2018, which weakened protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

“People from across New Hampshire have spoken with me about how important it is for everyone to have access to the healthcare they need,” said Kuster. “Congress must work together to drive down the costs of prescription drugs and healthcare while ensuring protections for the most vulnerable Americans. I appreciate the opportunity to hear from healthcare providers like those at Valley Regional Hospital and West Central Behavioral Health and I look forward to sharing their critical insights with my colleagues as we continue our efforts to improve healthcare delivery and expand access nationwide.”

"In order to stem the rate of overdoses and keep people in recovery, we have to provide outpatient treatment in the community," said West Central Behavioral Health President & CEO Suellen Griffin.  "The people in this program know that treatment can work." 

"We are delighted that Congresswoman Kuster is taking the time to visit organizations that serve our patient population,” said Deanna Howard, Interim CEO, Valley Regional Healthcare.

Kuster has been vocal about the need to make improvements to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On the Energy and Commerce Committee, she has called out the Trump Administration for sabotaging the ACA and highlighted the potential impact of President Trump’s policies on individuals with pre-existing conditions like Bodhi Bhattarai of Contoocook, New Hampshire. In addition, Kuster has unveiled proposals to address the cost of healthcare and stabilize the individual marketplace and has pushed back against partisan efforts to undermine the ACA.

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