New Hampshire’s SchoolCare faces a $30M shortfall, imposing a one-time fee on districts to cover rising healthcare costs.

SchoolCare, a New Hampshire health benefits program for 90 school districts and towns, is imposing a one-time $30 million assessment to address a budget shortfall caused by rising healthcare costs, including specialty drugs and medical inflation. The first such charge since 1995 will add about one and a half months of expenses for participating districts, with Concord facing a $2 million hit and Lebanon $1.03 million. The move follows an actuarial report revealing deficits from 2023-24 and projected shortfalls for 2024-25, prompting urgent action to rebuild reserves. Districts are scrambling to cover costs, with some considering budget cuts and fund reallocation. State officials praised SchoolCare’s transparency amid broader concerns about risk pool stability, as other programs face scrutiny. Failure to pay by July 15, 2026, could lead to denied claims.