A health center in Franconia, a small town in northern New Hampshire, closed in October because it lost a large amount of Medicaid funding. The center was part of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services and helped about 1,400 patients from nearby towns such as Easton, Lincoln, and Sugar Hill. The closure happened during a time when many rural health centers in the United States were having financial problems. A report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform said that more than 100 hospitals have closed in the past ten years, and many others are also at risk because of money shortages.

Leaders at Ammonoosuc said the Medicaid cuts created a budget problem of almost $500,000. Because of this, the group decided to close the Franconia site, which used rented space and saved the most money. A study from the National Association of Community Health Centers said that many centers have very little money saved, with almost half having fewer than 90 days of funds. Experts warned that this situation may lead to fewer services and longer travel times for patients. Local officials worried that losing familiar doctors and nurses may make regular care harder for people. They also said the closure could cause more long-term problems for rural health systems already facing serious challenges.