Deborah Fournier, Director of Health Law and Policy, Institute for Health Policy and Practice
Deborah H. Fournier, JD, joined the Institute for Health Policy and Practice, Health Law and Policy Programs, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, as a Senior Associate for the Health Law and Policy focal area in September of 2020. In addition to serving at ASTHO and NASHP, Deborah is a former Medicaid Director for New Hampshire and will be supporting IHPP with regulatory and legislative reviews, analyses, and reports on state and federal policy developments relevant to New Hampshire's vibrant health policy landscape.
Before joining NH DHHS, Deborah led strategic planning and implementation of health care policy and advocacy at the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, including partnership in the effort to expand Medicaid in New Hampshire. Deborah also previously served as a Senior Policy Analyst for National and Federal Affairs at the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid, Executive Office of Health & Human Services. Deborah is admitted to the practice of law in Massachusetts.
Jay Couture, President & CEO, Seacoast Mental Health Center
Jay Couture has more than 30 years of progressive experience in New Hampshire’s community mental health system, serving in her current role since 2002. Jay served as President of the New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Healthy Communities. She was an integral member of the team who curated the State’s first Ten Year Mental Health Plan in 2008. Jay Couture received her bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies and her master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of New Hampshire.
