Garry Rayno - April 19, 2012

CONCORD — A bill to establish a multistate compact to take over health care programs from the federal government met stiff opposition at a public hearing Thursday.

House Bill 1560 would allow the state to explore with other states ways to bypass federal health care regulations and programs, including Medicaid, Medicare and the national reform law passed two years ago.

The House passed House Bill 1560 on a 221-131 vote last month after killing an attempt to have a study committee review the issue.

Supporters of the bill said it would allow the state to craft a specific health care system for the state instead of one size fits all programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

“The current health care system is on an unsustainable path and the federal and state health care programs will be bankrupt if they continue on this path,” said House Deputy Majority Leader Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson.

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