House GOP flip-flops, blocks prompt medical care for Maine’s foster kids

AUGUSTA — Despite previous strong support in both Legislative bodies and a successful veto override in the Senate, House Republicans flip-flopped Wednesday, effectively killing a bill they had previously supported, which would require prompt medical assessments for children entering state custody.

“It’s extremely frustrating and disappointing that, despite initial, universal support across both parties and legislative bodies, House Republicans have chosen to block meaningful policy that will protect our most vulnerable children,” said Rep. Scott Hamann, D-South Portland and member of the Health and Human Services Committee. “Their decision, which disregards the hard work and clear recommendations of their colleagues, is indefensible.”

LD 213, sponsored by Sen. Geoff Gratwick, D-Bangor, would require the state to conduct comprehensive medical assessments of new state wards within three days.

“I am deeply saddened that so many House Republicans were unwilling to override the governor’s veto,” Gratwick said. “This bill represents a medically sound, evidence-based approach that would have helped some of the most tragically needy among us — foster kids in the state’s care. I can see absolutely no reason to have opposed this bill other than blind, unthinking partisan loyalty. This is not the way we should be serving the people of Maine.”

Currently, the state has ten days to conduct the assessments, but many medical experts and advocates including NAMI Maine and the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics say that time period is too long.

“Research has documented that the sooner children are identified and services are delivered, the greater likelihood their childhood challenges will not have a significant impact on their adulthood,” said Margaret Carr, testifying on behalf of NAMI Maine in support of the bill.

After receiving unanimous support from all members of the Health and Human Services Committee and passing unanimously in both the House and Senate, Governor LePage vetoed the bill. The Senate overrode the veto with a strong vote of 33 to 1, confirming the value and importance of this proposal.

All but four House Republicans voted to sustain the Governor’s veto.

###