HB583

It is in the best interest of eligible NH students for the NH DOE to seek Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced price school meals. One of the factors vital to a child's ability to learn is access to proper nutrition. Sadly, not all children have access to sufficient nutrition in their homes. As the former Nurse Coordinator at the NH DCYF Manchester, Nashua, Concord and Salem District Offices, I know that there are many children who are Medicaid-eligible and food insecure, but don't receive free or reduced lunch. Unfortunately, Medicaid eligibility isn't directly tied to meal programs, and parents may not complete necessary meal program eligibility paperwork. HB583 will simplify access to the free and reduced price school meal program for eligible students. Children learn best when they are fed and have the ability to focus and attend to their education. Alternatively, they suffer health and other negative impacts when this most basic need remains unmet. Passing HB583 will reduce barriers for children who will benefit from the free and reduced price meals program, and at the same time increase efficiency of the program in general. No child should be hungry at school. Please vote OTP on HB583. Thank you, Rep. Nancy Murphy

I STRONGLY support making it easier for children to receive free and reduced price school meals.

I know how hard it is to get families who can qualify for free and reduced lunches to apply. The stigma they think they will be under is real. I also know the time it takes to record the applications that come it. This bill would make the whole process more comprehensive and save money and time while feeding the children who need to have full tummies in order to learn.

Students/families should not have to fill out a separate application for free/reduced costs accessing food at school since this information is already available through Medicaid records.

I support free meals, period. Using the Medicaid direct certification program is all about government efficiency which we all want. The information is already there so it is not an additional invasion of privacy. At the lunch counter, nobody will know who is participating or not so there is no stigma involved.

Although more is needed to comply with decades' worth of court rulings, this bill is a move in the right direction.

Direct certification through Medicaid makes it easy for families and schools to enroll needy children in the school lunch program.

Medicaid direct certification is a crucial resource to reducing barriers for participation in the free and reduced meals program.

This bill would directly certify children on Medicaid whose families’ income qualifies them for free and reduced meals, eliminating the need for an additional form.

I support this bill

The NH Office of the Child Advocate supports any efforts to provide meals to children in schools, and to increase access and efficacy of access for families in need. For some children, school is the only place they receive regular nutritious meals.

Please support this bill to make the funding process streamlined for free and reduced price school meals.

As a mom who had to do the overly complicated paperwork to enroll my kids in free/reduced lunch for several years after my husband died, I would have been so grateful if my children could have been automatically enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program through their Medicaid status. Please help eliminate the administrative burden families face by passing this bill.

Ensuring that funding is available for free and reduced school lunches is necessary and makes sure that students are ready to learn without the distraction of hunger.

MEDICAID is an essential program that provides. They need it or they wouldn't be on file. Don't add extra stress and paperwork to fill out another application. This is simply cruel.

Fed kids can learn, and this would minimize red tape in making sure kids access free and reduced lunch programs.

There are too many children in this state living with food insecurity. Providing school lunches not only provides them with a solid meal (sometimes the only meal they have in a day), it also boosts their ability to learn. It's important to not take away school lunches.

I support this bill because direct certification maximizes access to school meals. Students become eligible for them based on info Medicaid has on file, without having to fill out a separate application.

The more children who are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch program, the better. This seems like win win for students, families, and school districts who struggle getting families who qualify to apply for the program. The long lag time between now and when the program can actually be implemented would give plenty of time to determine pros and cons for our state. Starting the process seems like a no brainer!

Feed our children!

Some children enter school at a disadvantage, and I don't want hunger to be one of them. I worked in an elementary school for years, so I see this bill as very important.

Individuals who qualify for Medicaid should not be given additional obstacles and friction for assistance - they have already proven the need.

The system is working. Children should not be seduced into marriage before they are old enough to understand what it means.

Dear House Judiciary Committee members, I am opposed to bill HB476 that would further restrict abortion, reproductive healthcare, in New Hampshire. As you may know, 78% of New Hampshire citizens believe there should be a right to get an abortion, in every state of the U.S. Also, the great majority - I believe it is 68% - of us here in New Hampshire oppose a 15-week abortion ban. Therefore, your opposition to this bill would be representing the will of the people you represent. On a personal note, my niece was able to obtain an abortion after a rape that she would never have been able to prove, before Roe V. Wade was overturned. She went on to have to beautiful healthy boys. I believe all women and families should have that opportunity. Please oppose HB476 and support the health and welfare of New Hampshire families. Thank you for your service to the people of our State.

Children on Medicaid should qualify automatically for free meals at school.