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MAIN
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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 10 No. 1 |
March 2006 |
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MAIN
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|
A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
|||
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Volume 10 No. 1 |
March 2006 |
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Overview: Current Legislative Work
January and February were busy months for MEJP and MAIN. Even though this is a short legislative session, we have a number of updates to share about legislation and policy changes affecting low-income Mainers. The following list provides an overview of the areas covered in this newsletter:
- When the legislature met in January, its first action was to unanimously pass legislation appropriating $5 million to the low-income heating assistance program (LIHEAP).
- The transition to the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, which started on January 1st, has been extremely challenging for the state and for the thousands of low-income Medicare recipients, whose prescription drugs were previously covered by Medicaid or the Drugs for the Elderly program.
- On February 1st, Congress passed a final Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill (also known as the Deficit Reduction Act) which includes a number of significant changes and cuts to programs for low-income families and individuals.
- In Maine, the Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed a bill to allow families not on TANF but living below 130% of the federal poverty level to apply for Alternative Aid once per year instead of once in a lifetime.
- Enrollment in the MaineCare program for non-disabled childless adults between the ages of 21 and 64, often referred to as non-categoricals, has dropped dramatically since the freeze was put in place a year ago. The Department of Health and Human Services is expected to re-open enrollment over the next month on a very limited basis.
- A much needed increase in the minimum wage has passed the Maine House and Senate! We are hopeful that both bodies will again vote in favor on their 2nd vote, and that the Governor will sign it. The legislation increases minimum wage from $6.50 to $7.00 an hour, giving many families living below the federal poverty level $1000 more in income per year. Watch the news carefully for any actions needed on this bill.
