NH State Representative Steven Smith

NH will opt into president’s executive order for $300 enhanced weekly benefit, Sununu says

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-coronavirus-update-august-18-2020/33633818

The federal government had been providing $600 of additional unemployment assistance because of job losses sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the program expired. President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for $300 of assistance, provided that the state kick in at least another $100.

Sununu said there initially were questions about how the program would work and how much it would cost the state. He said Tuesday it now appears that New Hampshire will be able to cover everyone with up to $10 million from the unemployment trust fund.

Sununu said the state determined, after discussions with the White House, that if an unemployed Granite Stater is already receiving at least $100 in state benefits, that qualifies as the state contribution under the new program. He said that represents about 95% of those getting benefits.

For those who are receiving less than $100 from the state, their state benefit will increase to $100, and they will qualify for the additional federal aid, Sununu said.

“Once approved, the state is able to access the $300 in supplemental benefits for Granite Staters that currently collect unemployment benefits, and they will be eligible going back to Aug. 1, so all of the eligibility gets retroactive back to Aug. 1,” Sununu said.

Attorney General’s Office investigating possible guidance violation at Exeter youth hockey camp

https://www.wmur.com/article/attorney-generals-office-investigating-possible-guidance-violation-at-exeter-youth-hockey-camp/33639496

New Hampshire sets rules for taxing PPP payments

https://www.nhbr.com/new-hampshire-sets-rules-for-taxing-ppp-payments/

Wakefield School Board votes to return to school in person, with mask mandate

https://www.wmur.com/article/wakefield-school-board-votes-to-return-to-school-in-person-with-mask-mandate/33639415

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – August 18th, 2020 

On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, DHHS announced 13 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 7,017 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, all are adults, with 38% being female and 62% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (4), Carroll (2), and Merrimack (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (3) and Nashua (3).

Hospitalizations

Three new hospitalized cases were identified for a total of 712 (10%) of 7,017 cases.

Community Based Transmission

None of the new cases had no identified risk factors.

Deaths

DHHS has also announced one additional death related to COVID-19. 

• 1 male resident of Rockingham County, 60 years of age and older

Cumulative Positive Tests by County

• Belknap 121
• Carroll 98
• Cheshire 107
• Coos 17
• Grafton 107
• Hillsborough – Other 1,274
• Hillsborough – Manchester 1873
• Hillsborough – Nashua 801
• Merrimack 475
• Rockingham 1733
• Strafford 367
• Sullivan 44

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(data updated August 18th, 2020, 9:00 AM)

NH Persons with COVID-191 7,017

• Recovered 6,333 (90%)
• Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 424 (6%)
• Total Current COVID-19 Cases 260
• Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 712 (10%)
• Current Hospitalizations 12

Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories,

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 186.907
• Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody
• Laboratory Tests 28,782
• Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL 40,274
• Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL 1107
• Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 2,425

Number of Specimens Tested by Date of Report to NH DHHS

Information above, and archived daily updates are available here: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/news/updates.htm

Regional Information (total positive test results, deaths)

Look-back period is 1 week.

NH: 7,017 positive test results 424 deaths  (1 week ago: 6,861 positive test results 419 deaths) (+156/+5)

MA: 124,063  positive test results 8848 deaths (1 week ago: 121,707  positive test results 8751 deaths) (+2356/+97)

ME: 4,213 positive test results 127 deaths (1 week ago: 4,050 positive test results 126 deaths)

VT: 1,530 positive test results 58 deaths (1 week ago: 1,472 positive test results 58 deaths)

CT:  51,225  positive test results 4,456 deaths (1 week ago: 50,684  positive test results 4,444 deaths)

RI: 20,692 positive test results 1024 deaths (1 week ago: 20,053 positive test results 1016 deaths)

NY:  431,298 positive test results 32,446 deaths (1 week ago: 426,713 positive test results 32,372 deaths) (+4,585/+74)

Large Decreases in 2021 Premium Rates Expected in Individual Market

CONCORD, NH – The federal government has published information on proposed rates for New Hampshire’s health insurance exchange ( https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/) in 2021.The New Hampshire Insurance Department is reviewing 2021 forms and rates for individual health plans. For 2020, the second lowest cost silver plan was $404.60. The 2021 second lowest cost silver plan proposed premium rate is $318.95. This represents a 21.2% decrease.The premium rate decreases for plan year 2021 can be attributed in part to overall market trends, and in part to the approval of the Department’s Section 1332 Waiver designed to lower rates in the individual market and to provide market stability in the future. The waiver was approved by the federal government on Aug. 5.  “After two consecutive years of only modest premium rate decreases, I am pleased to announce that New Hampshire residents should experience some health insurance premium relief this year,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Alex Feldvebel. “We know that some people are losing their employer coverage due to the pandemic. This successful market intervention will increase affordability in the individual market, which we expect will allow more people to access health insurance coverage for 2021.”  “These proposed rate decreases are great news for New Hampshire families and the culmination of several years of hard work to lower health care costs,” stated Governor Chris Sununu. “The success of the 1332 Waiver is clearly benefiting our residents, and I am very grateful that many people will see real savings in their premium rates next year. I hope that this market stability will allow more families will be able to take advantage of these savings and enroll in health care for 2021.”  The 2021 rate information released by the federal government details proposed annual rate changes for benefit plans that are submitted by insurance companies operating on HealthCare.gov. The New Hampshire Insurance Department is prohibited by law from releasing rate information at the plan level until Nov. 1, the first day of open enrollment. A benefit plan is a specific plan that a New Hampshire resident would select for enrollment, such as a bronze, silver, or gold metal level plan.  Three companies have filed rates with the intention to offer individual products on the exchange in 2021 for New Hampshire: Ambetter, Anthem, and Harvard Pilgrim. The companies have until Sept. 23 to commit to selling plans on HealthCare.gov for the 2021 plan year.  The Department advises consumers that the only way to receive an accurate premium rate amount is to update your application on HealthCare.gov each year. The amount of premium assistance you may qualify for changes each year depending on your age, financial status, and household size. An insurance agent or enrollment assister can help you update your application and enroll in a plan.