Speaker Fecteau Introduces Bill to Protect Health Care for Maine People
LD 2208 Would Offset Federal Cuts to Health Insurance
AUGUSTA – Maine House Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) today introduced LD 2208, An Act to Offset Federal Cuts to Health Insurance for Certain Maine Families and Seniors, which will take critical steps to protect Mainers from federal cuts that will impact families, businesses, and the state’s entire health care system.
“Federal changes in Trump’s ‘One Big Bad Bill’ have already taken a toll on Mainers and put their health at risk as premiums have gone up dramatically,” said Speaker Fecteau. “Families should not have to choose between groceries and sky-high health insurance policies. This bill will protect Maine people and ensure that, from our rural health systems to affordable insurance on the Healthcare Marketplace, Mainers can get the care they need.”
The amended bill proposed by Speaker Fecteau will:
Provide funding to supplement DHHS’ work to strengthen Maine’s rural health care system
Establish a state-funded health insurance subsidy on CoverME.gov to make up for the loss of federal tax credit dollars
Create the MaineCare Federal Response Fund to respond to federal cuts to funding for the MaineCare program.
“Mainers are facing a healthcare affordability crisis right now,” said Kate Ende, Policy Director with Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC), who testified in support of the bill. “The number one reason Mainers cite for not having health insurance is the cost of premiums. LD 2208 will provide much-needed relief to help more Mainers afford the coverage they need.”
“As the major provisions of H.R. 1 take effect, the Maine Medical Association is alarmed that coverage losses and new barriers to care will leave more individuals and families uninsured, increasing uncompensated care and placing additional strain on Maine’s health care system—especially in rural communities,” said James Jarvis, MD, President of the Maine Medical Association. “We appreciate Speaker Fecteau for introducing LD 2208 because policies that protect coverage and affordability are essential to maintaining the stability of Maine’s health care system.”
The Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services will consider LD 2208 in the coming weeks.
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