The Dirigo Health plan has been in the news lately. One of the comments I’ve heard is a complaint that legislators voted against including themselves and state employees in the plan. Legislators and state employees already have health insurance coverage.

The Dirigo Health plan was created to provide better access to Maine workers and their families, who are self-employed or work for small companies and who do not have health insurance coverage. It is a voluntary program designed to arrange for a comprehensive, affordable subsidized package of insurance benefits that will be available to Maine’s small business community as well as to individuals without access to job-based coverage. When people lack health insurance and finally seek care, they are sicker and require more expensive treatment, often in a hospital emergency room.

The costs for people without health insurance are absorbed by the hospital or provider and passed on to those with insurance in the form of higher costs and premiums. Not only will Dirigo Health stop the cost shifting, it will benefit the long-term outlook for Maine citizens by ensuring that preventative care is available. The Maine Chamber of Commerce has listed the high cost of health insurance as one of the top concerns of Maine businesses. The chamber supports the Dirigo Health plan and has worked with Gov. Baldacci and other stakeholders to create a health plan that works for everyone – employers, employees, health care providers and insurance companies.

Rep. William Walcott, Lewiston

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