Related: Turning LePage in Maine
This post will close the book.
"Medicaid expansion fails in Maine for a third time" by Alanna Durkin | Associated Press April 12, 2014
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Legislature failed Friday in its third attempt to overturn Governor Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to 70,000 low-income residents under the federal health care law, an issue that is certain to play prominently in this year’s governor’s race.
The 22-to-13 vote in the state Senate was two votes shy of the two-thirds support it needed to override LePage’s rejection of the bill that also would have privatized the state’s Medicaid program through managed care.
The failure of the proposal in the state Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, is a big win for the Republican governor, whose agenda was dealt a significant blow by lawmakers this session.
The federal government offered to pay the entire cost of the expansion under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act for the first three years, after which the state would pick up a portion of the costs. Under the bill, Maine would have withdrawn from the program at that time and the Legislature would have to approve it again.
But LePage and Republican lawmakers have said it is unreasonable to believe the Legislature will choose to take away people’s coverage once it has been provided. It is shortsighted to believe that the federal government will keep its promise and that taxpayers will not ultimately be left footing the bill, they said.
‘‘Our resources are extremely strapped, and we only have the ability to do certain things,’’ said Senate Republican leader Michael Thibodeau of Winterport.
On Friday, LePage echoed Republican lawmakers’ argument that many of those who would qualify for the expansion can get for subsidies to buy private coverage on the federal marketplace for as little as a few dollars a month. LePage said he is pleased ‘‘the Senate chose fiscal responsibility, instead of spending millions of Maine taxpayer dollars to expand welfare to able-bodied adults who have other options for virtually free health care.’’
But an estimated 24,000 Mainers who would have received Medicaid under the expansion will not qualify for subsidies, leaving affordable health care out of reach, Democrats say.
Democrats criticized Republicans for their opposition, despite inclusion of several provisions they wanted, including an attempt to reduce the waitlist for Medicaid services and two new fraud investigators.
The state would have also hired private companies to run its Medicaid program in an effort to provide more predictability in its growing Medicaid budget.
‘‘We were offered many excuses for the opponents of why they wouldn’t vote in favor of this sensible legislation to accept federal funds, but as I see it, the barriers have now been addressed,’’ said Representative Margaret Craven, Democrat of Lewiston.
LePage’s opposition to the expansion will become a key aspect of the upcoming governor’s race. After the Senate vote Friday, protesters shouted, ‘‘We will remember in November.’’
The governor’s two political opponents, US Representative Mike Michaud, a Democrat, and independent candidate Eliot Cutler, blasted the governor for vetoing the bill earlier this week.
LePage ‘‘has elevated his tough-guy image over the public interest,’’ Cutler said in a statement. ‘‘Politicians overuse the word ‘shame,’ but this time it really fits.’’
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"Medicaid, welfare to play big in Maine campaigns" by Alanna Durkin | Associated Press April 19, 2014
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Democrats have fallen short so far in their attempt to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law this year, and Republicans did not get their wish to overhaul welfare programs, either. But that will not stop them from trying to transform those failures into successes on the campaign trail as they return to their districts to drum up votes for the November election.
Democrats’ continued push to expand health care and Republicans’ repeated efforts to transform welfare are expected to play well with their bases as they blame each other for lack of progress in Augusta.
‘‘We’re going to be able to go out and say that we supported a bipartisan compromise . . . to provide health care to 70,000 Mainers,’’ said House Speaker Mark Eves of North Berwick, referring to the Medicaid expansion proposal vetoed by Republican Governor Paul LePage and sustained by GOP lawmakers last week for a third time this session.
‘‘I wish it weren’t a campaign issue. . . . But if we can’t be successful this session, then it will be,’’ he said as lawmakers rushed to finish up their work for the year.
Democrats will have one more shot at overturning a near-certain veto of a Medicaid expansion proposal sent to Le-Page late Thursday, but it appears to be headed down the same path as past efforts.
Meanwhile, the GOP’s unsuccessful push to pass measures that would have limited the use of electronic benefit cards and implemented stricter work-search requirements is likely to become a central theme in their effort to regain majorities in both chambers.
‘‘What the message here, really, is status quo versus reform,’’ said House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport. ‘‘I think the Democrats’ lack of an ability in the House to embrace these ideas is going to cost them in the fall elections.’’
Lawmakers have left Augusta, but their work has not officially come to a close. They plan to return in early May to vote on any bills that LePage may veto after they left, potentially including a measure to close a $30 million hole in the state budget.
While partisan battles were ignited over issues such as welfare and revenue sharing this year, what is often one of the most contentious debates each session — the state budget fix — was embraced by both parties and flew through the Legislature with ease.
See? Government is biparti$an when bankers need to get paid.
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"Citing fraud, Maine to put photos on EBT cards" by Alanna Durkin | Associated Press April 19, 2014
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine will begin putting photo identification on welfare benefit cards this month, first in Bangor and then across the state in an effort to target fraud and abuse, the administration of Governor Paul LePage, a Republican, said on Friday.
The state will require that the heads of households and secondary card holders have photos placed on EBT cards, which low-income families use to buy food and other necessities.
Residents who are younger than 19, older than 60, blind, disabled, or victims of domestic violence will be exempt, according to details about the administration’s efforts laid out in a letter to the US Department of Agriculture obtained by the Associated Press through a Freedom of Access Act request.
Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew said in a statement Friday that the plan supports the ‘‘administration’s efforts to strengthen the integrity of our public assistance programs.’’
‘‘The photo will also help our staff to verify the identity of the benefit recipient and will be helpful in cases where cards have been illegally sold or when multiple cards are in the possession of an individual,’’ she said.
But advocates for the poor have criticized the plan, saying it has been costly and ineffective at preventing fraud in other states and could harm those who rely on benefits. Advocates say the photo ID requirement raises concerns about blocking household members other than the primary card holder from using the cards like they are currently allowed to do.
The USDA requested details about the state’s plan in February, saying the federal government must work with the state as the addition of photos is ‘‘a very sensitive issue for clients, advocates and retailers.’’
All of a sudden this government is concerned about your privacy?!
It is true what people say: this government wants us to be poor and dependent! Then they protect you!
‘‘Because of the complex legal, operational and civil rights issues that have arisen around the implementation of photo EBT cards elsewhere, as well as the potential risk for litigation should something go wrong, [the Food and Nutrition Service department] must work closely with DHHS to ensure that implementation is seamless and within the bounds of law and regulation,’’ wrote Jessica Shahin, regional administrator for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
They claim they are fighting fraud, but as you can see it's all political $hit for your consumption.
I mean, the government JUST CUT BILLIONS from FOOD STAMPS and now they are worried people won't be fed because of a photo on an ID card?
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Also see: Logan parking rates to rise $2 a day on July 1
I thought that might be of particular interest to a beloved follower.
