Gov. Paul LePage’s ill-advised veto of a 100 percent federally funded program that would provide health care coverage to 70,000 Mainers who desperately need it made no sense at all. Such coverage would help Maine citizens and hospitals, plus provide a boost to Maine’s economy. As a disabled senior citizen, I know how life-essential such […]
MaineCare
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine Legislature approves late, last-ditch push for Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Legislature on Thursday night approved a Medicaid expansion plan for the third time since March, though the bill is likely doomed to the same fate as its predecessors — death by gubernatorial veto. The House of Representatives gave the bill final approval with a vote of 94-51. The Senate gave […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Controversial MaineCare rides program survives after veto override fails
AUGUSTA— Democrats in the Senate were unsuccessful Tuesday in attempting to overturn a veto by Gov. Paul LePage, who had nixed a resolve to cancel the contracts of companies that have overseen the troubled administration of the state’s MaineCare rides program. In a party-line vote, the Senate voted 20-15 to override the veto, short of […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Spending more to save more? It’s working.
“They’re desperately in need of something we’re not giving them.” Three state projects are giving Maine’s biggest medical users more help, and it’s already paying off in a host of ways. Last year, Tammy Wilson visited the emergency room 38 times. She knew she went there a lot — too much — but she didn’t […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
LePage vetoes Medicaid expansion, says it would be ‘ruinous’
AUGUSTA, Maine — As expected, Gov. Paul LePage on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to roughly 70,000 low-income Mainers and dramatically overhaul the administration of the program by outsourcing it to managed care organizations. The Legislature gave final enactment to the bill on March 28, starting a countdown for LePage to […]
Posted inLetters
S. Sokol: Morally and economically correct
Most Mainers know MaineCare expansion has passed the Legislature and is awaiting the expected Gov. LePage veto. Sadly, there are not enough Republicans who are willing to do what is morally and economically correct and override it. As a result, there will be continued needless loss of life. Approximately one Mainer dies every three days […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills, River Valley
RSU 10 to cut 30 positions, asks for salary freeze
RUMFORD — The RSU 10 board Monday night authorized Superintendent Craig King to discuss a salary freeze with seven Western Foothills Educational Association bargaining units and agreed to eliminate positions for 24 teachers or educational technicians, six other support staff and one administrator. A pay freeze was also imposed on central office administrators and all […]
Posted inLetters
C. Dingman: Support both measures
Rep. Jeff Timberlake wrote March 22 in support of a much needed MaineCare rescue for Maine’s nursing homes (LD 1776) but opposed accepting federal funds to provide MaineCare coverage to 70,000 who can’t afford insurance (LD 1487). He suggested legislators must choose between those bills. That is untrue. MaineCare expansion would use federal funding targeted […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
House backs bill to block MaineCare rides renewal
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Democratic-controlled House has approved a bill to prevent the state from renewing its contracts in a troubled MaineCare rides program that’s caused some patients to miss appointments. The House voted 86-56 Tuesday in favor of the measure introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Troy Jackson. The Senate endorsed it with a 24-14 […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Troubled Maine transport company paid extra $1.2M last month
PORTLAND (AP) — A state lawmaker is demanding answers after a company under fire for its poor performance in providing non-emergency rides to Maine Medicaid patients was paid an extra $1.2 million last month. State Rep. Drew Gattine said he noticed that Connecticut-based Coordinated Transportation Solutions was paid $3.3 million in February while in previous […]