New Hampshire Health Leaders Warn of Growing Risks to Rural Hospitals

Health care leaders today warned of growing risks to rural hospitals and community-based providers across New Hampshire, pointing to rising costs, workforce shortages, and ongoing funding pressures that are straining access to care across the state. During a virtual media event hosted by Protect Our Care New Hampshire, Edward D. Shanshala II, CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services (ACHS), shared firsthand insights into the challenges facing providers in rural communities. Shanshala pointed to the closure of a health center in Franconia in November 2025—a decision driven by financial constraints and ongoing operational challenges—as a clear example of how fragile access to care has become in parts of the North Country.