Maine Senate to vote on health care bill on Monday

By DAVID SHARP , 05.13.11, 02:27 PM EDT

Read more at Forbes.com

PORTLAND, Maine — As Republicans appear poised to enact a health insurance reform bill, the GOP and Democrats are embroiled in their first deeply partisan fight, one that’s opening wounds even as debate looms on dozens of other bills, including Gov. Paul LePage’s $6.1 billion budget.

The debate became so bitter that Republicans delayed a final vote until next week instead of pressing for a final vote early Friday.

Democrats contend the health insurance reform bill is being rushed to the point lawmakers aren’t considering all of the potential ramifications.

The House on Thursday voted 78-68 to approve the bill along party lines, sending it back to the Senate for a final vote. After debate that went well into the night, the Senate opted to adjourn shortly before 1 a.m. Friday and take up the matter on Monday, the next time the full Legislature is due to convene.

Senate Majority Leader Jon Courtney, R-Springvale, declined to characterize the delay as a cooling-off period. He said simply that it was late, and some lawmakers wanted to go home.

“There’s no need to do it in the middle of the night,” he said Friday from Augusta. “It’s not about personalities. It’s about the people of Maine. We can do it Monday and that’s fine.”

Senate Minority Leader Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, said passions have been running high during the debate.

“I would say a cooling-off period was wise because emotions and fatigue and frustration were setting in,” Hobbins said. “It’s always better to have a clear head to make decisions. But the end result will likely be the same.”

Republicans say the bill will lead to greater health insurance choices and competition to hold down health insurance costs in Maine. But Democrats say rural and older residents will end up paying disproportionately higher rates.

The insurance overhaul would allow Maine residents to buy coverage offered in other states. Lowering costs will bring more young and healthy people into the mix, lowering premiums for everyone, supporters say.

Critics says the bill will lead to higher premiums for older and rural Mainers. They also say a $4-per-month fee to be paid by every person covered by a policy to fund a high-risk insurance pool would be a hidden tax amounting to an annual cost of nearly $200 for a family of four.

Democrats feel they’ve been steamrolled.

The House rejected all six Democratic amendments, then the Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee exempted the bill from further deliberation, allowing it to continue on a fast track to the Senate.

Democrats also said Republicans should’ve sought counsel from Maine Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman. Kofman couldn’t be reached Friday.

Courtney didn’t indicate any willingness to delay things to let Kofman crunch numbers. “She’s been an advocate for the status quo,” he said.

Associated Press writer Clarke Canfield in Portland contributed to this report.