A study from the New Hampshire Insurance Department released Monday found that women face challenges accessing appropriate healthcare due to provider shortages, concerns about healthcare affordability, and a low understanding of insurance coverage by participants of online surveys and group sessions. The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was commissioned to understand barriers to accessing women’s health services, with particular focus on preventive care, maternal health, and state compliance with federal market reforms. Heaton said the state insurance department’s goal is to increase transparency and education. The study also identified areas of concern surrounding hospital closures, rural broadband access, Medicaid policy design, the workforce pipeline and culturally aligned care. The study found that New Hampshire’s Essential Health Benefit benchmark plan, available on the health insurance marketplace, was on par with other states in New England, with the exception for fertility treatment.