Closure of Community Health Center in Franconia Leaves Patients in Distress

Wed Nov 19 2025 17:05:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The sudden closing of the Ammonoosuc Community Health Services in Franconia, New Hampshire, has left residents, particularly vulnerable populations, facing difficult challenges in accessing healthcare services.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Franconia's community health center, which served as a haven for many locals, has abruptly closed its doors. This closure not only disrupts healthcare access for over 1,400 patients—including the elderly and those battling serious illnesses—but also raises concerns about the future of rural healthcare systems amid Medicaid cuts and increased health insurance costs. Patients like Susan Bushby are mourning the loss of a familiar medical environment, and the emotional toll of this change is palpable in the tight-knit community. As the healthcare landscape shifts, more closures loom on the horizon, prompting fears for the well-being of rural residents.

FRANCONIA, N.H. — In the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, cherished by locals, has become a distant memory as it closed its doors last month. For more than 1,400 patients, this was not just a clinic; it was a lifeline.

Susan Bushby, a 70-year-old housekeeper who frequented the facility, expressed her grief noting the familiarity and relationships built there. The community health center was a sanctuary where patients were more than just names on a list.

Following drastic cuts in Medicaid funding, officials decided to shut this significant health resource, forcing patients to travel at least 10 miles for medical care—an arduous task in the rugged terrain. Among those affected are elderly individuals dealing with debilitating health issues.

It’s really hard for me to explain, but it’s going to be sad, said Bushby, echoing sentiments shared by many other residents.

Marsha Luce, another local, fears for her husband's well-being, as he battles multiple medical conditions, including cancer. The closure not only complicates logistics but also erodes the supportive relationships fostered at the clinic.

The health crisis in Franconia is symptomatic of ongoing struggles within rural healthcare services, exacerbated by federal funding cuts and an uncertain future. According to a report by the Center For Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, over 700 hospitals are at risk of closure, further threatening the safety net for vulnerable populations.

Because of these Medicaid cuts, we’re going to see rural hospitals, in particular, hit hard, warned New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan. As more patients are expected to lose their healthcare coverage, the risk of similar closures looms large, leaving communities wondering where relief will come from.

Looking ahead, Ed Shanshala, the CEO of Ammonoosuc, recognizes the difficult environment for community health centers like his own amid funding challenges. The closure of the Franconia center reveals the fragile state of rural healthcare services, and many residents are left to grapple with the loss.

As the community mourns this significant loss, residents like Jill Brewer express anxiety over a potential domino effect in healthcare availability. Is this kind of the first domino to fall? she questions, worried the problem may escalate, taking more healthcare resources along with it. The hope remains that as a community, they can rally together to advocate for their healthcare needs, but for now, the feelings of loss and uncertainty dominate.