Greg Moore, a former representative of New Hampshire, said that the state once allowed presumptive Medicaid eligibility which could have provided temporary access for undocumented immigrants. However, he noted that this loophole has since been closed. Moore made this statement on X.
“I wouldn’t say never,” said Moore. “For a while with ObamaCare expansion, the state allowed “presumptive eligibility,” which would have allowed temporary access to Medicaid for illegals. Thankfully, we closed that loophole. Also a good reminder that you shouldn’t speak in absolutes.”
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, New Hampshire adopted Medicaid expansion in 2014 as the Health Protection Program, now known as Granite Advantage. A work requirement was added in 2018 but was withdrawn by federal officials in 2021. Presumptive eligibility remains available for groups such as children and pregnant individuals, while undocumented residents are generally limited to emergency care. This evolution has shaped recurring legislative debates over verification and coverage.
The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute reports that New Hampshire’s Medicaid footprint is substantial and costly. State analysts project Granite Advantage spending to reach $620.8 million in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025, with approximately $61.2 million sourced from the state. They warn that changes in federal matching could significantly increase state costs. Enrollment has remained around one in eight residents, reflecting post-unwinding trends.
According to KFF’s review of state immigrant coverage policies, eligibility for undocumented immigrants varies across New England. Massachusetts generally limits MassHealth “Limited” to emergency services, while Maine extends MaineCare to income-eligible children under 21 and pregnant individuals regardless of status. These approaches illustrate state-funded coverage strategies layered atop federal limits.
Moore is a longtime policy operative in New Hampshire and currently serves as Regional Director for Americans for Prosperity. He previously held positions as Chief of Staff and Policy Director for the New Hampshire House and worked in public affairs roles at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS). His portfolio emphasizes fiscal restraint, welfare and Medicaid reforms, and advocacy within the statehouse.
