Protect Our Care New Hampshire Hosts Virtual Event on ACA Open Enrollment Amid Shutdown and Policy Uncertaint

Watch the full event here

Concord, NH — [November 6, 2025] — Protect Our Care New Hampshire hosted a virtual briefing to discuss the start of the 2026 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment period, which comes amid a federal government shutdown and ongoing policy uncertainty.

Speakers included Dr. Tory Jennison, PhD, RN, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA), and Edward Shanshala, MSHSA, MSEd, CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services. They joined Jayme Simões of Protect Our Care NH to explain what consumers need to know during this complex enrollment season—and to call for continued protection of policies that make health care affordable for New Hampshire families.

Unless Congress renews the enhanced ACA premium tax credits, tens of thousands of Granite Staters could face premium increases of up to 26 percent or more. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), these subsidies have helped keep coverage affordable for more than 50,000 New Hampshire residents since 2021.

Throughout the ongoing shutdown, Democrats in Congress have continued to fight to protect these tax credits, while Republican leaders have remained focused on efforts that would raise health costs for working families.

Despite these attacks, the Affordable Care Act remains more popular than ever, helping over 20 million Americans—across the political spectrum—access affordable preventive and lifesaving care.
Speakers underscored how the current political gridlock directly affects consumers, especially in rural and underserved areas where access to navigators and enrollment assistance has been disrupted by the shutdown.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now about what’s going on in the marketplace with healthcare subsidies and premiums. Across the country, people are seeing big increases in the cost of care — and if these subsidies go away, families will face an even bigger burden. Now more than ever, folks should work with New Hampshire Navigators through the ACA marketplace to find coverage that truly fits their needs.”

— Dr. Tory Jennison, PhD, RN, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA),

“Health insurance isn’t just a benefit — it’s the difference between keeping a workforce and losing one. When premiums climb 20-plus percent overnight, small employers can’t absorb that. The math simply doesn’t work.”
— Ed Shanshala, MSHSA, MSEd, CEO, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services

“When people lose insurance or delay care, it doesn’t just harm health — it destabilizes local economies. Health care access is part of what keeps our communities strong and our workforce reliable. Losing these subsidies could unravel that stability, especially in rural areas.”
— Dr. Tory Jennison, NHPHA

Watch the full event recording here and read more about the fight to protect affordable health care at ProtectOurCare.org.

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