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Low-income adults will be eligible for publicly funded health insurance for two more years under the state’s Medicaid expansion program, thanks to a 16-8 Senate vote on Thursday. Gov. Maggie Hassan has said she will sign House Bill 1696. During two hours of debate, a majority of senators rejected proposals to change the bill. Six Republicans joined all 10 Democrats to approve the program, begun nearly two years ago under the Affordable Care Act. (Rayno, 3/31)

The bill extends the health care program for two more years, institutes new work requirements for enrollees and covers state costs with premium tax revenue and voluntary contributions from hospitals and insurance carriers. The Senate vote marks an end to months of legislative debate over how to continue the state’s Medicaid expansion program, which was set to expire at the end of this year. While Republicans authored the reauthorization bill, the party’s lawmakers remain divided over the health care program. (Morris, 3/31)