Senate backs Sen. Ingwersen bill to ensure public employees have access to long-term disability insurance

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, the Maine Senate gave bipartisan approval to a bill from Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, that would improve access to long-term disability insurance for state employees. LD 1152, “An Act to Require Public Employers to Provide Long-term Disability Insurance Coverage,” received an initial vote of 22-10.

“My interest and commitment to long-term disability for MEPERS employees is personal and began many years ago. My teaching colleague and good friend Bob Sprankle suffered unbearable nerve pain from a hernia operation. He used his sick days, used days from the sick bank and took a leave of absence, because long-term disability insurance was not available to him. When all his options ran out, Bob returned to work. The pain medication did little to alleviate his pain, and Bob set up a cot in the corner of his classroom so he could rest between teaching sessions. He eventually had to stop work altogether,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “This is another way public employees are disadvantaged compared to those in Social Security. LD 1152 attempts to fill this gap and will help make sure future disabled public employees, such as teachers and state employees, do not fall through the cracks again.”

LD 1152 would clarify that the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) board of trustees must offer long-term disability insurance coverage to members through their employer, and that the public employer must provide that coverage or substantially equivalent coverage from another source to the public employee. That coverage must be offered beginning July 1, 2025. Under the bill, the state must pay 100% of the costs of the premiums and any other amounts due to an insurance company or other 3rd party in connection with the offered coverage.

MainePERS currently has a short-term disability program, but no long-term disability program. This gap in coverage can be financially devastating for Mainers with long-term disability who are unable to work but can’t get the support they need to cover daily living expenses.

Bob Sprankle died in 2015 at the age of 52. 

LD 1152 faces further votes in the House and Senate.