Deborah Fournier
Deborah was appointed Medicaid Director for New Hampshire in August. Deborah was appointed Deputy Medicaid Director last winter and has served as Interim Medicaid Director for the past two months.
During her tenure at DHHS, Deborah led implementation of the New Hampshire Health Protection Program, the Premium Assistance Program and the Building Capacity for Transformation Waiver.
Before joining the Department, Deborah led strategic planning and implementation of health care policy and advocacy at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. She led a Medicaid working group to address the transition to Medicaid Managed Care, Managed Long-Term Care, Medicaid Expansion, and the Medicaid Enhancement Tax.
Deborah previously served as a Senior Policy Analyst for National and Federal Affairs at the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid, Executive Office of Health & Human Services and as Associate Director of Public Policy for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. She holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Whitman College. Deborah is admitted to the practice of law in Massachusetts.
A Bridge from Volume to Value: Strategies for Including Safety Net Providers in Medicaid Payment Reforms
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
