Dear Legislators,
I am writing to ask you to oppose cuts in the non-categorical MaineCare program. This program has
literally been a lifesaver for me. When I had no insurance and needed treatment, I was able to get onto the
program after a short time on the waiting list. I got the treatment I needed for a chronic life threatening
condition and was able to return to work. Since that time my wages have put me over the income guidelines to
continue on the program and I’ve been without health insurance for about a year. Fortunately, my health care
needs have been
few other than monthly prescriptions that I’ve been able to access through Walmart’s four-dollar prescription
program.
However, I am now at a point where my chronic condition is flaring up again. I am experiencing the symptoms
I had previously but without health insurance I won’t be able to see a doctor for the tests I need to assess
my condition.
My employer has just offered me the extra hours I need to qualify for their health insurance program.
However, that insurance would not cover the treatment I need as it is for a pre-existing condition for which
Maine law allows a new insurer to deny coverage. This means that I have nowhere to turn.
Without immediate treatment, my condition will worsen. I expect that I will have to lessen my hours of
work and my income will go down. The noncat program helped me before to improve my health so that I could work
again. Now I can’t get on it because enrollment is frozen.
Without coverage through the non-cat program, I expect to end up in the emergency room with life threatening
symptoms that will be more difficult and expensive to treat and could possibly render me permanently disabled.
The hospital will provide the care to me as required under law. However, it will cost much more to treat my
condition at that point than it would to treat it now. And if I do end up permanently disabled, not only will
my quality of life be greatly diminished but I’ll no longer be part of the taxpaying workforce.
I know there are many people in circumstances similar to mine. I don’t see the logic in a system that saves
money by not offering preventative treatment, at a much larger human and fiscal cost down the line. I hope you
will rethink these cuts. Thank you.
Heidi - Gardiner, ME
