| More Heath Care
Reform on the Way for Maine = More Coverage for More People During Governor Baldacci’s weekly
radio address, he announced that new measures will be taken to improve health care for the
people of Maine.
"I am
proud that four years ago we enacted the Dirigo Comprehensive Health Reforms, and much has
been accomplished. The rate of the people who lack health insurance in our state has been
better than the national average. But we must do more. Yes, we have helped small
businesses provide insurance to their employees, we’ve given individuals a place to
turn when the insurance market failed them, and in some cases we’ve saved lives ...
But now is the time to take the next step and learn from these experiences," said
Baldacci.
The governor
said that Dirigo is projected to grow moderately, and the goal is for it to provide
universal coverage.
He put his full
support behind Rep. Jill Conover’s bill that "will create the opportunity for
Dirigo’s foundation to expand and give the program the ability to increase
competition while lowering costs," said Baldacci.
"We’ve
built on the state’s MaineCare program to reach out to more individuals, parents and
children ... And as part of my budget, we’ve already proposed bringing the amount we
pay for services more in line with other states, and also introduced changes that will
create better financial oversight and control," stated the governor, who then
explained there will be additional changes. "To increase the available and affordable
choices and maintain protections for those who buy insurance, we’re going to change
the regulations in the individual and small group market."
There are
thousands of people who actually buy insurance, but because their premium is so high, if
they become sick, unless it’s critical, their insurance is useless.
"As the
line goes, ‘the only thing worse than no health insurance is paying for no
health insurance’," said the governor. "We’re going to refocus Dirigo
on enrolling the uninsured and the underinsured, and reduce costs for businesses to
participate."
"Since day
one, health-care reform has had its enemies and challenges. They think government has no
role in protecting people’s health. Health-care security is about real people, with
real lives and real families. They work hard, they play by the rules, yet somehow, before
Dirigo, there was no room for many of them in the system ... I will not turn my back on
them."
DirigoChoice has helped more
than 24,000 people since its inception.
The major changes proposed are:
—Baldacci’s new
Dirigo Health 2.0 plan allows the program to self-administer through LD431, Conover's
bill.
—The program has a
reinsurance plan
—Requires discounts for
nonsmokers
—Worksite wellness
programs
—New rate regulations will
be put in place.
—Once these steps have
been implemented and Dirigo has proven to be more affordable, a play-or-pay system will
mandate coverage for employers and individuals who can afford the program. (Those making
$39,000 or more)
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