BEHIND THE EXPANSION NUMBERS: JACKSON TELLS THE NORTHERN MAINE STORY
AUGUSTA—Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash shared four stories of people living in his district who have been hurt by Maine’s failure to accept the federal deal to expand health care to 70,000 people, including 3,000 veterans. Senator Jackson urged lawmakers to support the expansion compromise bill offered by Assistant Republican Minority Leader Roger Katz.
“We all know the numbers: the economic benefits to our state, the money saved, the jobs created, the thousands of people who will have access to healthcare. But what’s important to remember is that behind those numbers are real people with stories to tell,” said Senator Jackson. “At the end of the day, this is about the people who will benefit from expansion. It’s about the 280 new jobs that could be created in the county and most importantly, it’s about the 4,615 northern Mainers right here in Aroostook County. I want you to know their stories.”
Garth Kinney of Caribou will lose his MaineCare health insurance next month when he turns 21. Garth has bipolar disorder, and a heart condition that requires extremely expensive drugs and operations. Garth makes only $8.50 an hour at Shop ‘N Save–not enough to afford health insurance on his own, nor is it enough to afford the costly medication.
“Without health coverage, Garth will be forced to stock up on the medications that are helping him now, and hope on a wing and prayer that nothing changes to require different medicine, operations, or other treatment,” said Senator Jackson. “If we pass the expansion compromise bill, Garth won’t have to worry as much about his health. He will be able to focus on his work, on finishing his schooling, and someday achieving his dream of opening a natural food grocery store to help rebuild his community.”
A new study in Health Affairs, a leading, peer-reviewed health care journal, warned of 7,000 to 17,000 fatalities in states that chose not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Wendy Caron of New Limerick is a single mother with three children. The small business that employs her cannot afford health insurance for their employees, and Wendy doesn’t earn enough to afford insurance on the insurance exchange. Because Maine has not yet accepted expansion, Wendy lost her MaineCare coverage on January 1. Wendy’s sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and learned she has the breast cancer gene. Wendy could have the gene, too.
“If we pass the expansion compromise bill, Wendy will have health coverage, and if she develops breast cancer, she will have a better chance of surviving,” said Senator Jackson.
As of January 1, nearly 25,000 Mainers, including 15,000 working parents whose children depend on them to stay healthy to go to work each day, lost health care coverage as a result of Governor LePage’s veto of a measure to accept federal health care dollars to expand Medicaid.
Mackenzie Flannery of Caribou was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was in high school. While in college, she could no longer be covered under her mother’s health insurance and as a result, she incurred high medical debt. Mackenzie just finished paying off thousands of dollars in medical bills, and is afraid to see a doctor because she doesn’t want to be in debt again.
“If we pass the expansion compromise bill, Mackenzie will be able to get the care she needs without having to live in fear that her medical costs will drive her into debt,” said Senator Jackson.
Courtney Capecea, a student at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, suffers from ovarian cysts. The basic insurance she receives through her school doesn’t cover all of the medication she needs. When her ovarian cysts left her debilitated and unable to walk, she lost her job. Without a job, it is harder for her to afford her schooling.
“If we pass the expansion compromise bill, Courtney will be able to get her job back and finish school,” said Senator Jackson.
Senator Jackson added, “Garth, Wendy, Mackenzie, and Courtney are only four stories; there are thousands more. And each and every one of them is counting on us. We can’t let them down.”
The Health and Human Services Committee approved the expansion compromise bill earlier this week. The measure, LD 1487, will now be sent to the Senate for a vote.
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Lives on the Line:
Garth Kinney, Caribou
In April, I will turn 21 and lose my MaineCare, if Maine does not accept federal funds for Medicaid expansion. Because I need to have health insurance to go to college, this will also prevent me from accessing higher education. Neither of my parents have health insurance, so I can’t stay on their plan, even though I’m younger than 25. I’m not able to get insurance on the exchange because I make too little to afford the plans that are offered.
Several years ago, I suffered a ventricular tachycardia, which means my heartbeat raced out of control. As a result, I had to get a heart operation called a cardiac ablation. But because my heart will continue to grow until I’m 30, my tachycardia could return at any time, threatening my life, and necessitating extremely expensive drugs and other operations. I also am trying to find the right prescription drugs for my bi-polar disorder. If I lose my health care, I will be forced to just stock up on my medications and hope nothing happens to my heart or mental health.
Growing up in Aroostook County, I participated in the Upward Bound and Trio program, a summer program for students statistically unlikely to go to college. Rep. McElwee was my English teacher, and the help that she and others in the program gave me allowed me to get into the Northern Maine Community College . I had to work 30-35 hours a week at Wal Mart in the Lawn and Garden, Hardware, and Craft departments. I would take my classes in the morning, and start work from around one in the afternoon until 10 at night, doing as much homework as I could before I fell asleep. This allowed me to make about $12,000 a year. Combined with Pell grant financial aid, that was enough for me to afford to go to school. But after doing this for two years, I got so worn out I fell behind in my class work. I decided to take time off to save money so I could go back to school with more time to do well in class.
Unfortunately, I now have to find the money to get health insurance. The school offers a very basic plan that costs $500. But I already have to pay $804 in back tuition I owe, plus rent, a car payment, and car insurance—all of which I need to get to work. My hours at Shop ‘N Save have been cut back, making it even harder for me to save anything. (I make $8.50 an hour.) Since October last year, I’ve only been able to save $140. Without health insurance, I don’t know how I’ll be able to save enough to pay off what I owe, and go back to school with enough time to concentrate on my studies.
It’s my dream to open up a natural food grocery store, applying what I’ve learned in school and working at Wal Mart and Shop ‘N Save. It would create jobs and we wouldn’t lose so many young people. Loring Air Force Base closed before I was born, so hard times in a bad economy is all I’ve known growing up. I want to be part of rebuilding my community, but I can’t start pursuing that dream until I get health insurance. Please vote to accept federal funds for Medicaid expansion: my life and my dreams are on the line.
Wendy Caron, New Limerick
My name is Tabitha Caron, and I am writing on behalf of my sister Wendy. Wendy is a single mom with three children who works for a small business in the County. The small business cannot afford health insurance for their employees. Wendy lost her Mainecare on January 1st, 2014. Wendy had her first child when she was 16 years old and had complications with the birth that are still predominate today. My other sister Andrea recently got diagnosed with breast cancer and found out that she has the genetic gene that caused it. Wendy could also have the gene which causes breast cancer, but without any kind of insurance Wendy is forced to not be able to treat her issues and may not find out if she also has breast cancer which could lead to her death. Wendy’s oldest daughter Lacey will also lose her Mainecare as of August 2015 and Lacey could face these same issues as she gets older. With the Mainecare expansion, Wendy and Lacey could make sure that they are healthy and if something does come up in their health that they could catch it in time to treat it. Please consider voting in favor of the Mainecare expansion for not only my family but the other 70, 000 Mainers that could be directly affected by this. Thank you.
Mackenzie Flannery, Caribou
My name is Mackenzie Flannery and I would benefit from Mainecare expansion. I was born and raised in Caribou, Maine. While in high school, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While in college, my mother’s insurance stopped covering my medications, and I applied to get Medicaid. I was told that because I was over 21 and did not have a child I could not get coverage. I tried again after I graduated and was no longer on my mother’s insurance at all but got the same result. Working as a part-time college student, I couldn’t always afford my medications on my own, nor see a doctor when I was sick without going into medical debt. Even before losing my mother’s insurance I had medical issues which racked up a few thousand dollars in medical bills, which I have just finished paying off. These issues have not ceased, but I have been afraid of seeing a doctor because I do not want to be in debt again.
The expansion of the federal funding into Maine would greatly help people like me to get the medical attention we need without facing debilitating debt. Thank you for considering my story and others in similar situations as you vote. I hope you find that you have made the best choice.
Courtney Capecea, Presque Isle
My name is Courtney, and I’m a student at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. I’ve worked to put myself through college, but I have suffered through problems with my reproductive system, most frequently, ovarian cysts my entire adult life. I have been uninsured for most of my adult life and am currently underinsured because the insurance I get through the school covers very little in the way of medications. My lack of access to affordable healthcare cost me my job last year when the ovarian cysts left me debilitated and unable to walk. I had to quit my job at McDonald’s. As a consequence, my ability to work my own way through college has been made much more difficult. I want to finish school. I want my job back, and if the Medicaid expansion went through, students like me would be able to work, and that is really all we want.