A number of years ago, I was diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy — a disorder that has slowly taken the use of my hands and arms. As my disability worsened, I decided that, at 65 years of age, retirement would be my best option. In doing calculations, my financial survival depended upon the continuation of […]
Affordable Care Act
Posted inUncategorized
Mainers cannot afford proposed health care replacement plan
As a practicing family medicine physician in Lewiston, I am concerned about the fate of the Affordable Care Act. The repeal of the ACA and its replacement by the proposed Republican Healthcare Bill would be extremely detrimental to the citizens of Maine, particularly those in central Maine. Maine has the oldest population in the country, […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
GOP health care plan panned by LePage while lawmakers offer mixed reaction
A health care measure proposed by House Republicans on Monday was panned by some Maine officials, praised by the state’s sole GOP congressman and given a positive review by the state’s senior senator. Gov. Paul LePage told a Bangor radio station Tuesday that he is “very, very discouraged and disappointed” with the plan offered by […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
As GOP seeks ACA alternative, Sen. Susan Collins' bill remains an option
How to cope with health care is proving a colossal headache for Republicans who have long vowed to “repeal and replace” Obamacare without a consensus on how to do it. In recent days, the nation has watched out-of-the-loop lawmakers search the Capitol fruitlessly for a secret draft of a possible plan prepared by Republican House […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Improve the ACA, not end it
As President Donald Trump and Congress push to lower taxes in the high income brackets, I am worried that they will quietly remove funding for provisions of the Affordable Care Act, leaving millions of hardworking people at risk of losing health care insurance coverage. Would that really be a savings for the majority of American […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine's congressional delegation sees hope in Trump's speech
Maine’s congressional delegation found some hope in the softer tone and unifying words offered by President Donald Trump in his Tuesday night speech to Congress. From compromise on immigration to a renewed focus on economic growth, lawmakers latched on to presidential comments that lined up with their political agendas. Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Improve the ACA, not replace
Watching the activity regarding the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, it appears that most people are in agreement about the future of the ACA. They like the coverage and don’t want it changed. People appear vehement on this issue. Interestingly, this is a bipartisan response. People are demanding full coverage, no denial or price […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
A significant impact
While most of the discussion on repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) focuses on loss of coverage by 22.5 million people covered through state exchanges and Medicaid expansion, what is not discussed as much is that most other Americans, such as those who have employer-based coverage or Medicare, will also be significantly impacted. For […]
Posted inLetters
The power of the people
Tweak the Affordable Care Act in order to improve it? Yes. Wholesale repeal with no plan in place? No. Appropriately vet immigrants to this country? Yes. Wholesale ban on those of one particular religion? No. Act presidential? Please, yes. Daily state lies and create illegal, racist executive orders? Absolutely no. Concerned citizens must get involved. […]
Posted inLetters
ACA important to my health
The Affordable Care Act is in danger in Washington. The ACA isn’t perfect, but some provisions are life-saving for Mainers, who would otherwise be without health insurance and those with pre-existing conditions. The ACA is important to my health and my future coverage. I’m under 26; the ACA allows me to stay on my parents’ […]