KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan visited Cedarcrest Tuesday morning, underscoring the critical role Medicaid plays in supporting the specialized care the Keene facility provides to children and young adults with complex medical and developmental needs.

Hassan, who has long championed disability rights, toured the Maple Avenue campus, stopping in each classroom to greet children, thank staff, and hear firsthand how Medicaid funding enables the center’s life-changing work. Cedarcrest serves as the only pediatric post-acute care provider of its kind in New Hampshire and operates as a vital bridge between hospital and home for children with complex medical needs.

The senator’s visit comes amid growing concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts at the federal and state levels, including a 3% reimbursement rate reduction currently being considered in New Hampshire. Cedarcrest, a nonprofit, relies heavily on Medicaid to cover its services and is already operating at a 2–3% annual loss.

“Support for people with disabilities has been a bipartisan issue for as long as I’ve been in public life,” Hassan said during a roundtable conversation with Cedarcrest leadership. “But now we’re facing proposals that could put these essential services at risk.”

Hassan urged families, staff, and community members to advocate forcefully against the cuts by sharing their stories with lawmakers—especially those from Republican districts. “Telling your stories in as much detail as you can bear to do it—which is hard, but really important—helps people understand what’s really at stake,” she said.

Drawing from her own experience as the mother of a son with severe disabilities, Hassan emphasized the personal and moral importance of preserving Medicaid’s role in supporting vulnerable populations. Her son Ben, now 36, uses a wheelchair and is nonverbal, a reality that first motivated her to enter politics.

“Disability doesn’t choose a political party,” she said.

Cedarcrest staff outlined the ripple effects that reduced funding could have, including the loss of respite care, community-based programs, and the ability to maintain high-quality, dignified care for children with the most intensive needs.

The senator also pushed back on misconceptions surrounding Medicaid fraud. “Most of the Medicaid fraud we see comes from businesses, not from people,” she said, citing a case in which federal investigators recovered $400 million from a single medical equipment vendor.

Looking ahead, Hassan encouraged Cedarcrest leadership to continue exploring ways to diversify funding sources but reiterated her commitment to fighting cuts in Washington. “The American people are decent and fair,” she said. “And we’re beginning to see recognition—on both sides of the aisle—that maybe this idea of big Medicaid cuts isn’t such a good idea after all.”

Following her visit to Cedarcrest, Hassan traveled to Jaffrey to meet with small business leaders at Graphicast, a precision metal parts manufacturer, where she discussed the importance of funding the NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NH MEP).