AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration is officially asking the federal government to impose work and premium requirements on state Medicaid recipients.
Low-income Mainers this spring told state regulators the changes would make it harder to access health care that would allow them to work.
Maine Public reported (http://bit.ly/2vvfuU4 ) Maine Equal Justice Partners says it will file suit if federal regulators approve Maine’s plan.
Maine is one of about a half-dozen GOP-led states trying to tighten eligibility requirements for Medicaid.
Maine hospital representatives say that the LePage administration’s MaineCare cuts have cause a dramatic rise in hospital uncompensated care.
The state tweaked its application after receiving comments. It lowered maximum monthly premiums to $40 while expanding the pool of those who qualify for exemptions and removing a penalty for missed appointments.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less