HCAN meeting with Congressman Mike Michaud

This afternoon, the Maine Health Care for America Now coalition met with Congressman Michaud. The meeting was good and very upbeat. Congressman Michaud did not sign on to HCAN's health care principles. He wants to see what the Obama Administration will put forth before he signs. He basically said that he supports HCAN's Statement of Common Purpose and he knows that health care reform is a top priority. He wants know what the administration plans to put forth for health care reform. If it is something he agrees with, he'll support it. He did not rule out his support of HCAN. He is a very detailed kind of person and he reads the fine print on legislation to see if it is something he can support or not, just like his vote against the $700 billion bailout. We asked him his priorities in the upcoming session. Health care was at the top of his list. Another priority is health care for veterans and utilizing the VA system to help hold down costs for the general public. By this he means more contracting with rural, local hospitals so our vets don't have to travel so far to receive services. It is good for our vets who live in rural areas and good for the local hospitals. Congressman Michaud mentioned transportation, economic stimulus, trade and funding for home-based care as opposed to nursing home care as also being priorities. I took the liberty of talking to Congressman Michaud after the meeting to tell him that we need increased funding in home based care. Elders and disabled in need of services are enduring long waiting lists. They do not want to leave their homes and go into nursing homes. Congressman Michaud agreed to meet with HCAN in January, after we all know a bit more about what the administration is working on. He urged us to stay in touch with what's happening with the health care reform issue. See the organizations involved in the HCAN coalition across the nation.