When Can Police Get Your Medical Records? — Granite State Report Independent New Hampshire Journalism · Northfield, NH Health Privacy · Accountability When Can Police Get Your Medical Records? More Often Than You Think Federal privacy rules cut six separate doors into your medical file for law enforcement, and a…
Granite State Report New Hampshire Politics, Policy & Accountability Mental Health & the Law Sanity Is a Legal Fiction — And in New Hampshire It Doesn’t Even Sort You Correctly No psychiatrist has ever diagnosed “sanity.” It’s a sorting tool courts use to decide which building holds you and which…
New Hampshire’s mental health laws create a stark disparity between treatment for substance abuse and psychiatric crises. While DUI offenders are mandated treatment, individuals facing severe mental health issues receive no similar support until they pose imminent danger. This structural neglect reflects a moral failure in the state’s legal framework, leaving families helpless.
New Hampshire House Bill 1702 introduces severe regulations for abortion medication that could lead to felony charges for noncompliance by pharmacists and medical providers. This bill is seen as a criminalization of routine healthcare rather than a regulatory improvement, creating fear and deterring professionals from providing necessary services, thus limiting access to care.
In New Hampshire, abortion is legal, but as of 2022, it’s a right with a clear time limit. The state’s primary regulation, a law called the Fetal Life Protection Act, prohibits abortions at 24 weeks of gestation or later. This statute is formally known as RSA 329:43-50. This ban isn’t…
Public health policy is a strategic framework of laws and actions designed to prevent disease and promote community health, emphasizing prevention, equity, and population-wide impact. By focusing on these principles, policies have historically driven significant improvements in public health outcomes, demonstrating the crucial role of proactive measures in enhancing community well-being.
New Hampshire faces severe consequences from federal Medicaid cuts under the OBBBA, potentially leading to over one preventable death per week and increased medical debt. To mitigate this, the state must act by filling funding gaps, reforming Medicaid administration, strengthening subsidies, enhancing preventive care, and raising public awareness to protect vulnerable populations.
New Hampshire’s overdose deaths declined significantly in 2024, part of a national trend, yet fentanyl remains prevalent in the drug supply. Despite progress, the state’s drug landscape is complex, with heightened risks from polydrug use involving stimulants and xylazine. Ongoing harm-reduction efforts and treatment advancements are crucial to maintain gains.
