Legislature Votes New Funds for DirigoChoice
Access to Health Care Protected for Thousands of Mainers
As many of you know, the DirigoChoice program has not been enrolling new members because of lack of funding. In April,
the Legislature approved new or slightly increased taxes on beer, wine and soda to help fund Dirigo.
This new funding will protect vital health care coverage for 18,000 Maine people. The legislation adds:
- 3˘ to a 12 oz. bottle of beer
- 7˘ to a bottle of wine
- 7˘ to a 20 oz. bottle of soda
These taxes are directed at companies that distribute beer, wine and soda. These companies can choose to pass this tax on
to consumers, but the law does not require them to do so. The tax increase on beer will not affect Maine’s small breweries.
Tax increases on beer, wine and soda were recommended by a majority of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Dirigo.
Impact on DirigoChoice Program
With this new funding, DirigoChoice can enroll new businesses starting in September 2008. New individuals can join as soon
as more businesses sign up. The program must wait to enroll new individuals in order to keep a balance between individuals
and business enrollees in the program.
NOTE: The Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods feels that even though increasing these taxes may hurt people
with low incomes more than those with higher incomes, we support these tax increases as long as the money is used to provide
health care for more Maine people.
Read more: The "People's Veto" threatens this DirigoChoice funding
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