OFFER TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE TO THOUSANDS GETS GREEN LIGHT FROM COMMITTEE
Accepting federal health care dollars will insure up to 70,000 low-income and working Mainers
AUGUSTA—This afternoon the Legislature’s health policy committee endorsed a measure, in a bipartisan 10-4 vote, to accept federal funds for increased health care coverage.
“Too many Mainers lack needed and basic health care coverage,” said Senator Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, Senate Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. “This bill will provide tens of thousands of our neighbors with health insurance, so they don’t have to choose between buying groceries or going to the doctor.”
Tens of thousands of Maine people can receive healthcare coverage if Maine accepts the federal government’s offer: the federal government has agreed to pay 100% of the cost for covering all newly eligible people for the first three years, and then gradually lowering its payment to no less than 90 percent of the cost by 2020.
“We’re proud to fight for health care coverage for thousands of working families who deserve to have a family doctor,” said Rep. Linda Sanborn, D-Gorham, the sponsor of the bill. “This bill is essential for the health of Maine people and Maine’s economy.”
According to the Maine Center for Economic Policy, accepting federal dollars would inject an additional $250 million of federal funding into Maine’s economy and create more than 3,100 jobs with more than 1,700 jobs in the healthcare industry alone.
“This is an incredible opportunity to provide many Maine people with health insurance and help stabilize our hospitals’ financial situation by lightening their free care responsibilities,” said Rep. Richard Farnsworth, D-Portland, House Chair of the Committee. “This measure will improve the the overall quality of health care in our state.”
Nearly 70 percent of Maine people support accepting federal health care dollars to increase access to health care, according to the nonpartisan Maine People’s Resource Center.
Those opposed to accepting the federal dollars have argued that Governor LePage should be given more time to negotiate a better deal for Maine. However, DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew has received written confirmation from the director of the federal Center for Medicaid Services, that this is the best deal for Maine.
“These rates are set by law, and CMS has no authority to change the matching rates by regulation or waiver,” said Cindy Mann, director of CMS. “The unprecedented matching rates for newly eligible individuals ensures that Maine can continue to cover low-income adults with significant savings over the 10-year period.”
Maine is projected to save $690 million in the next 10 years if it accepts the federal dollars, according to the nonpartisan Kaiser Foundation and the conservative Heritage Foundation. Maine is also one of 10 states that will see Medicaid expenditures go down over the next 10 years.
“Today the feds confirmed what we have known for a long time: this is a great deal for Maine,” said Senator Colleen Lachowicz, D-Waterville. “By taking this deal we will save money, and save lives. I am in favor of saving lives. It’s as simple as that.”
The bill, LD 1066, An Act To Increase Access to Health Coverage and Qualify Maine for Federal Funding, will now be sent to the House and the Senate for approval.
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