As a young person in a state that is consistently trying to address the “brain drain” problem, I’d like to make a not-so-bold suggestion that the state of Maine continue Dirigo Health.

We all feel the pain of rising health-care costs, but these increases hit the elderly, those with low or fixed incomes and young people entering the work force a bit harder. Two out of every five students will be without health care within a year of graduation. Dirigo has provided about 8,000 Mainers with affordable, comprehensive coverage, including many of those young people that are just entering the work force.

Part of the agreement between Anthem and the state of Maine was that money saved due to the Dirigo plan would be paid back into the program to insure more Mainers. Anthem has saved $43 million in recoverable profits from its participation in Dirigo. Anthem has yet to pay this money back, despite the fact that, according to sources on the Web, their CEO received a $40 million bonus in 2004.

There are many benefits to having an insured population. When small businesses and the self-employed can afford to provide themselves and their employees with health care, Maine dollars stay in Maine. The state should recognize this. Maine should invest in its economy, invest in its young people and invest in its future by holding Anthem accountable and by supporting affordable and comprehensive healthcare through the Dirigo plan.

Tracy Allen, Livermore Falls

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