SENATE APPROVES EXPANSION COMPROMISE BILL TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO 70,000 MAINERS

Majority of Senate Republicans continue to deny healthcare to Maine people

AUGUSTA—In a 22-13 vote, the Senate passed a Republican-sponsored measure to accept federal funds to provide healthcare to 70,000 Mainers, including 3,000 veterans.

“Expanding access to healthcare will strengthen our economy and create jobs and save money, but most importantly, it will save lives,” said Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash. “Each one of the 70,000 people waiting to see if we step up and do the right thing has a story to tell, a family they love, dreams and plans for their future, and a life to live. It’s shameful those of us blessed with health insurance by our constituents would then turn around and deny that same right to them.”

The bill sponsored by Republican Senators Roger Katz of Augusta and Tom Saviello of Wilton would accept the federal funds for expansion for the three years the federal government pays 100% of the cost. Additionally, the compromise proposal creates a managed care plan in an effort to lower program costs.

The proposal would also reduce the waitlist for homecare services for some elderly and disabled Mainers to increase the number of Mainers helped by this initiative and strengthen the Health Care Crimes Unit in the Attorney General’s office to help investigate and prosecute any cases of fraud in the program.

According to analysis from the state’s non-partisan fiscal office, the compromise measure would save $3.4 million in the state’s budget in the first year alone,

“A healthy workforce is good for our economy, and access to a doctor is fundamental to prevention and management of our health,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Anne Haskell of Portland. “Taking the funds offered to the state is good sense and good economics.”

The Senate had previously passed two bills to expand access to health care, both of which were vetoed by Governor Paul LePage. Governor LePage has threatened to veto the Republican measure passed today.

“For more than a year Governor LePage has delayed and denied healthcare to thousands of Maine people,” said Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston. “His statements have become increasingly outrageous. It seems the only thing he won’t do is offer a solution.”

According to an evaluation by Harvard and the City University of New York, Maine could save around 157 lives per year by accepting federal funds.

Without this compromise measure, 21,000 Maine people with mental illness and substance abuse conditions will lose out on health coverage, according to a new report from the American Health Counselors Association.

“When people with mental illness don’t have access to the treatment they need, a manageable mental health issue can deteriorate into a crisis,” said Senator Colleen Lachowicz of Waterville, a social worker. “Passing this compromise bill will ensure more people have access to healthcare they need before they reach the emergency room.”

Republican Senator Pat Flood of Winthrop, who previously supported both bills to expand access to healthcare, flipped his vote and today voted against life-saving care for 70,000 Mainers, including nearly 6,000 people right here in Kennebec County.

Last week, New Hampshire voted to expand health care, leaving Maine the only state in New England that has not accepted healthcare expansion.

The bill, LD 1487 “An Act to Provide Fiscal Predictability to the MaineCare Program and Health Security to Maine People,” will now be sent to the House for further votes.

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