By David Farmer,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – While the debate surrounding the role of government in health care rages among politicians, a new survey says that Mainers have already made up their minds.

The survey, taken in December, shows strong support for MaineCare, the state’s version of Medicaid, and for the idea that society has an obligation to ensure that all people have health coverage.

Commissioned by the Maine Center for Economic Policy, a progressive think tank, and AARP Maine, the telephone survey of 300 people found that more than 90 percent of respondents said that universal health care benefits everyone and 94 percent said that the government should provide health care coverage for people who can’t afford it.

Seventy-three percent of those who responded said that the health care system in the United States is headed in the wrong direction. Majorities also said that the government isn’t doing enough to help low-income working parents, those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, seniors, children and people who lose their jobs to get and keep health coverage.

“For the majority of Maine people, there is no disagreement. In fact most Maine adults strongly believe that government should be providing health care for people who cannot afford it and that lawmakers should make no further cuts to the MaineCare program,” said Lisa Pohlmann, associated director for MECEP and co-author of the report.

Results from the survey, which was performed by Market Decisions of South Portland, were released during a news conference Thursday at the State House. In addition to the authors of the study, three people who receive MaineCare benefits told their stories.

Amy Dulac lives in Greene with her three children. About four years ago, her husband, a union carpenter died unexpectedly. The family’s comfortable life was torn apart.

“The union was very supportive and provided health insurance for my family for three years,” Dulac said. “But that expired in 2005. So I screwed up my courage to apply for MaineCare and was relieved to discover that my children would be covered.”

Because of an expansion of MaineCare during the Baldacci administration, Dulac said, she also qualified for benefits.

Dulac is now a student at L-A College studying social work and counseling. She says she will graduate with honors is seven weeks.

“I know that I won’t need help from MaineCare for a long time, but I am so glad it is there for families like mine when it’s needed,” Dulac said. “When my oldest son was hit by a car and broke his back, you can imagine how thankful I was that MaineCare was there to help. Going through traumatic times like that are difficult enough without having the added burden of worrying about whether you can afford treatment to help your child regain his health.”

Dulac was joined at the podium by 97-year-old Ruth Cole of Augusta and 22-year-old Rebecca Hollingshead, who also shared their stories of how MaineCare has made a difference in their lives.