Thanks to YOU, many harmful cuts were stopped!
Maine Supplemental Budget:
2008 Legislative Session Results
MAIN members joined with thousands of others through the Maine Can Do Better coalition to prevent many harmful cuts proposed
in the Governor’s budget. Clearly, Maine lawmakers heard the message that these cuts to human services programs were not
acceptable. We delivered this message through emails, letters, phone calls, and by joining the 1000 Maine people who filled
the halls of the State House on March 12th. Our voices made a difference!
This news is a huge relief for the thousands who were at risk of losing vital health care; access to basic safety net
programs like General Assistance; or services for victims of domestic violence. Our work to restore these services will
literally save lives. It will also prevent even greater costs that would arise if people lost access to these critical
services.
Unfortunately, the final budget also made significant cuts to some essential programs. These cuts will affect services for
seniors and for people with chronic mental illness and developmental disabilities. The budget cuts will also affect the
workers and agencies that provide these services. The final budget reduced state spending for these and other programs and
services by about 170 million dollars.
Here is a brief summary of the outcome of some of the issues that MAIN and Maine Equal Justice followed most closely:
Proposed cuts in the MaineCare “childless adult” program (the “non-categoricals”)
- The legislature rejected the proposal to cut health care for more than 8,500 low-income adults in this program. This means
that when the new budget goes into effect on July 1, 2008, the program will reopen and accept new members from the waiting list.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) currently has a waiting list for this program. Anyone who wants to enroll
should sign up for the waiting list as soon as possible.
- The legislature rejected the proposal to stop covering prescription drugs for members of the “childless adult” program.
Prescription drugs will continue to be available. People on the program will be expected to make greater use of generic drugs
instead of brand names. However, brand name drugs will still be available with prior authorization if they are medically
necessary.
- The legislature rejected a proposal to require a $10 co-payment for doctor and hospital visits for members of the
“childless adult” program.
Other proposed MaineCare cuts
The legislature rejected the proposal to eliminate podiatry services (foot care) for all MaineCare members. However,
MaineCare members will now need prior authorization from DHHS before they can receive certain podiatry services.
The legislature partially rejected a proposal to cut certain durable medical equipment and supplies. DHHS now has the
authority to limit or reduce the amount that MaineCare will pay for these services. DHHS must first go through a rulemaking
process in order to put any limits in place. The public will have a chance to comment on what is proposed during the rulemaking
process. MAIN and MEJP will advocate to prevent any harmful limits on access to durable medical equipment.
The legislature accepted the proposal to require an annual MaineCare enrollment fee of $25 for parents with incomes above
150% of the poverty level ($26,200 for a family of 3). The $25 fee will apply to each parent in a two-parent family.
Proposal cuts affecting families receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
The legislature rejected the proposal to stop access to the General Assistance (GA) Program for TANF families. TANF families
will continue to be able to apply for GA when they need it. Being able to turn to GA for assistance helps families like
this one:
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A mother of three from Bangor, including twins with serious disablities, who spent all of her TANF income on temporary
housing as she searched fro affordable housing. They had to rely on General Assistance in order to survive. Now she is hoping
that she will qualify for the Housing Special Need paymnet so that she can provide a permanent shelter for her family.
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Proposed cuts affecting legal immigrants
The legislature rejected the proposal to stop state-funded SSI payments for 31 elderly or disabled legal immigrants and
refugees. The Governor himself withdrew this proposal in his budget “change package”. This means that state-funded SSI
benefits will continue to be available to low-income legal immigrants and refugees who do not qualify for federal SSI benefits.
The legislature rejected the proposal to stop state-funded food stamps for legal immigrants. Legal immigrants with low
incomes who do not qualify for the federal food stamp program will continue to be eligible for this state-funded benefit.
Health coverage through MaineCare, helps Maine people like these:
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A 62 year old self-employed man from southern Maine who became severely ill in 2006, but waited several months to see a
doctor because he had no health insurance. He had lost over 30 pounds and had become so weak he had to stop working. When
he got on MaineCare he was finally able to get the medical help he needed, including diagnostic tests and a referral to a
specialist. With effective medications he is feeling well again and looking forward to getting back to work.
A 23-year old woman from Lisbon who had been without health insurance and was having serious health problems related to her
acute diabetes. She was able to enroll in MaineCare’s non-categorical program and stabilize her health. She is now employed
full time as a nurse’s aide with health insurance provided by her employer.
A young woman with a college degree in agriculture whose life’s goal is to develop her family’s small farm in Windsor into a
thriving business. She developed serious complications from a foot injury while working last summer, requiring long-term
treatment. Without MaineCare coverage she would not have been able to afford the treatment or the medications. With
appropriate medical care she has been able to continue working to develop her family business.
A husband and wife in their mid 50s from Knox County. They were both working but had no access to health insurance when
the wife was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was able to get on the MaineCare non-categorical program in time to have
life-saving surgery. Cancer-free, she returned to work and, at age 55, is finishing her bachelor’s degree.
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