MSEA-SEIU Local 1989's Executive Director Resigns

The executive director of the Maine State Employees Association/SEIU Local 1989, Tim Belcher, has resigned after 20 years of service to the 15,000-member organization.

Members serving on MSEA-SEIU’s board of directors voted to accept Belcher’s resignation at a special meeting last night (Thursday, September 24) in Augusta. Belcher, 54, had served as MSEA-SEIU’s executive director since June 2005, and previously served as the local union’s general counsel for 10 years, and as a staff attorney for five years before that. “We have built a good, strong working team of elected leaders, members, SEIU’s public services staff, and our own staff, and together we worked to figure out how to adapt MSEA-SEIU to our changing circumstances,” Belcher said. Among the breakthroughs for MSEA-SEIU members cited by Belcher during his years on the leadership team:

• As General Counsel, working with guidance from the SEIU Legal Department, negotiated an expedited arbitration process between employees and state government, which speeds the process and fosters a more constructive outcome for member by focusing on the important issues.
• By building the best union staff in New England, delivered greater responsiveness to member inquiries and concerns, and improved the quality of representation the union delivers in collective bargaining.
• Implemented the recently negotiated Fair Share agreement, requiring non-members to pay towards the cost of representational work, by defending the union’s interests, while at the same time responding to legitimate concerns raised by the non-members.
• With help of the SEIU, the union won a unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on a narrow free speech issue related to the fair share payments, a rare pro-labor ruling by the high court
• United approximately 2,200 publicly funded workers such as in-home child care and home care providers together with traditional government employees for greater strength
• A law making retiree health benefits a contractual right protected by the Contract Clause of the U.S, which Belcher dubs “our least understood accomplishment.”

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, President Bruce Hodsdon expressed regret at Belcher’s resignation, stating that “Tim served the union well for 20 years, his history and experience with MSEA-SEIU will be sorely missed, as will his commitment to the members of MSEA-SEIU and to the labor movement as a whole. However the Board of Directors accepted Belcher’s belief that after twenty years, it was time for a change.”

771 Bargaining Updates

At the Local 771 meeting on Saturday, Home Care for Maine's ballots for the new contract were counted. There was an overwhelming vote to approve and accept the new contract. 75 ballots were cast. 70 were yes votes, 5 were no. Home Care for Maine workers have a new contract, that is retroactive to July 1, 2009. Part of the new contract is a 2%, across the board, raise. There are no more confusing stipends. Alpha One's contract is still in negotiations with some minor language changes coming from Alpha One. Once this language is agreed upon by both sides, the tentatively agreed upon contract will go out to Alpha One members to ratify. That should happen later this week. Once this happens, MSEA will make the contract available online through its website. A link to it will also be posted on Local 771's blog. Local 771's next meeting is Saturday, October 24, 2009 at MSEA headquarters, 65 State Street, Augusta from 10 am to noon. At this meeting, we will be counting the ballots for Alpha One's contract. Local 771 membership count as of August; Alpha One has 162 full members, Home Care for Maine has 201 full members, for a total of 363 full members. Local 771 keeps growing!

REMINDER Local 771 Meeting

Local 771 is holding a regular meeting tomorrow, September 19, 10-noon, at MSEA-SEIU headquarters, 65 State Street, Augusta. On the agenda is counting the ballots in the recent vote on the Home Care for Maine new contract. Alpha One is also in contract negotiations. Members are encouraged to attend to find out what is happening in your union. There's a lot going on within and without. Come and find out what's in the works.

Long-Term Care System LEAN Process starts up

The work stemming from LD 1078 started up on Tuesday, Sept. 15th, with the Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS has been instructed to revamp the current home and community based care part of the long-term care system. The current system in place, the current eligibility and intake, and then the way the decision is made as to what care someone needs, and then the way the care is delivered is all under consideration. The eligibility, based on medical and financial information, is currently undergoing a lean process. One thing that has come out of it is the reduction of paperwork used in the process. RN's now have 3 to 6 pages of paperwork to deal with, instead of the 30 or so they had before. The LEAN core team has been selected. This group is mapping the current system, then mapping a future system, then developing an improvement action plan. This core team is made up of consumers, workers, advocates, providers, and members from DHHS. There is also a consumer group meeting. This group is made up of the folks that rely upon the system for the services and care they receive. This group is meeting before the core team starts its work. The people relying on care and services will get to tell DHHS what it is like being in the system, what works for them and what does not. I'm so glad that the people receiving care and services are part of this process. This is so important, they are the ones with the experience, good and bad, in the system. DHHS also put together a worker focus group made up of workers. This group will discuss worker issues raised in the legislation that was worked on this past legislative session. This is also another victory for workers. Workers get the chance to address issues and problems with DHHS. Ted Rippy, Dee Dee Strout from 771 are members of the worker group. Julie Moulton, and Cathy Bouchard from Maine PASA are in the worker group. I am too, representing Maine PASA, KVO, Local 771 and the Direct Care Alliance. This group is diverse in the work they do, thereby providing a wide range of worker insight. A comment was made in this first Lean meeting that more funding needs to be available to providers. DHHS and Jay Hardy from Alpha One both responded that this lean process is working with the current system, with the current funding that is in place. The purpose of the process is to make the system work for the People of Maine. The intent is to look at a complex process and find ways to save time, make the system more efficient. By making it more efficient, we stand to save money. That money can be turned over to workers in the forms of better wages and benefits. This work is very important. I am very pleased and honored to be a part of it. The documents pertaining to the Long-Term Care System Lean Process can be found by clicking the link. Thanks to Cheryl Ring and David Perkins of DHHS for making this information available online.

Signing Ceremony for LD 1078, the bill to Strengthen Maine's Long-Term Supportive Services

Ted Rippy, Local 771's Secretary, is third from the right; Tim Belcher, MSEA's Executive Director is first on the right; seated at the governor's right is 1078's sponsor, Representative Matt Peterson; seated to the governor's left is

Dennis Fitzgibbons, Alpha One's Executive Director

Governor Baldacci hands Representative Matt Peterson the pen he signed the bill with.

LD 1078 looks to make the Long-Term Care system in Maine better by making it more efficient, more portbable and more flexible for the people relying on long-term care.

Maine Grant Brings Coverage to Direct-Care Workers

In a significant victory for the fight for health care coverage for direct-care workers in Maine, the Governor's office announced last week that the state has been awarded a grant of $8.5 million to provide expanded coverage to 3,500 Maine residents - including direct-care workers. The grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide $8.5 million a year for up to five years for the state to expand the Dirigo health program to part-time, seasonal, and direct-care workers. Starting in 2010, workers employed by firms that offer health insurance and have over 50 employees will be eligible to receive vouchers to make their employer-sponsored insurance more affordable. The grant also will allow the Dirigo program to develop a special coverage product for workers who are not offered employer-sponsored coverage. This victory comes after a five year campaign waged by members of the Direct-Care Worker coalition. In March of this year, Coalition members pulled together a high stakes meeting of key political leaders to discuss the issue of health insurance and direct-care workers. HCHCW participated in the meeting offering examples from other states and raising the possiblity of applying for the DHHS grant. The participants agreed at the end of the meeting that a solution must be developed and several options were on the table including the ones now funded by the grant. As a direct-care worker and a leader of the Coaliton, Helen Hanson, was on hand for Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’s announcement of the grant at the University of Maine last week. “I heard it with my own ears,” she said. “We will finally be able to provide insure to some of Maine’s uninsured direct-care workers. Today is a significant victory in a very long fight for coverage. But I will not stop until all of Maine’s direct-care workers have coverage.” Helen recently wrote an editorial on the need for federal reform in order to help direct-care workers gain affordable, comprehensive coverage. The Direct-Care Worker Coalition now turns its attention to enrollment and design of the new coverage programs. Allison Lee National Campaign Manager Health Care for Health Care Workers alee@phinational.org

State Government Streamlining Work Continuing

As part of the 2010-2011 biennial budget, members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs assigned themselves the task of finding an additional $30 million in savings in the state budget. This work will continue in three meetings in September, with the committee receiving updates from various departments, including the Department of Education. The committee will also begin to form concrete proposals to present to the rest of the Legislature during the Second Regular Session. from Representative David Cotta House District 55 Albion, part of Benton, China and Unity Township

News Release from Senate Finance Committee

MEMORANDUM September 9, 2009 To: Reporters and Editors From: Scott Mulhauser and Erin Shields for Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) Re: Statement following Finance Committee Democratic Members' Meeting Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today issued the following statement after meeting with Democratic Finance Committee Members. From Chairman Baucus: “The time has come for action and we will act. We must move forward if we are going to get this bill done by the end of the year. I just met with my Finance Democratic colleagues and laid out the path for moving forward. I will put out a Chairman’s Mark early to mid-next week and I will move the Finance Committee to mark-up health care reform the week after next. This is our moment. We have spent many weeks and months on this crucial issue. Now is the time to move forward.” Jennifer Donohue Press Assistant - U.S. Senate Committee on Finance 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building - Washington, DC 20510 - 202-224-4515 www.finance.senate.gov

Call Congress and tell them to get Real Health Reform done

Teddy Roosevelt first proposed health care for all in the early 1900s. FDR fought for it in the 1930s. LBJ won Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s but wasn't able to provide coverage for everyone. Bill Clinton tried in the early 1990s. And since Barack Obama was inaugurated in January, Congress has been heatedly debating health care reform.

We've been talking about this issue for over 100 years. Enough talk. It's time to get something done!

Click here to call your Senators and tell them enough politicking, it's time to get real health reform done.

We've already made historic progress. Three committees in the House have passed strong health reform bills and referred them to the floor. And the late Senator Kennedy's committee has passed a strong bill as well.

Still, some in the Senate are waffling and asking for more time. Give them a call and tell them to support Kennedy's HELP bill that will lower our costs, improve our coverage, and give us the choice of a public health insurance option to keep the insurance industry honest.

This week, the Senate is back in DC. Click here to call your Senators right now, when your call can make the most impact!

We've waited long enough. We can get real reform done this year. Call your Senators today and make them do it!

To your health,

Levana Layendecker

Health Care for America Now

President Obama needs to hear from us about the public option. We need to stand up today to make sure President Obama knows that he cannot back away from supporting a robust public health insurance option similar to Medicare. On Wednesday, the president is expected to lay out his vision for health care reform at a joint session of Congress. But there are already troubling signs that the president is prepared to negotiate away a real public option in order to get support from Republicans like Senator Olympia Snowe and the Democratic Blue Dog Caucus. For example, reports came out on Friday that President Obama held a conference call with House progressives and asked them how far they'd compromise on the public option. We need to make sure that President Obama knows that for those of us who support single payer, a robust public option is the compromise. Aside from single payer, a health care bill without a robust public option is just more of the same. Click here to automatically add your name to the above petition asking President Obama to tell Congress and the voters that he will only sign a bill with a robust public option similar to Medicare. Thank you for working to secure real health care reform. Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets Your message to President Obama: "When it comes to health care reform, the public option is not optional. You campaigned on change and on a health care plan that included a public option. But aside from single payer, a health care bill without a robust public option is just more of the same. If you are sincere about supporting the public plan, tell Congress and the voters that you will not sign a bill without a robust public option similar to Medicare." 121,490 people have already signed this petition. Can you help us get to 150,000 by signing it today?

President Obama on Labor Day

Did you see what President Obama said on Labor Day?

It's why I support the Employee Free Choice Act-to level the playing field so it's easier for employees who want a union to form a union. Because when labor is strong, America is strong. When we all stand together, we all rise together.

And according to news reports, Vice President Biden expressed his support for the Employee Free Choice Act, too, saying it will pass this year.

For that to happen, we need your help. Click here to join our campaign: http://action.seiu.org/page/s/joinforefca

This week hundreds of people will meet with their Members of Congress, and we'll make thousands of calls to their offices to show the broad public support for the Employee Free Choice Act.

The Employee Free Choice Act will level the playing field against corporate greed by giving working people a free and fair chance to get ahead in this rough economy. We can pass the Employee Free Choice Act, but we need your help to do it.

Can you join our campaign to fight corporate greed? Click here to join: http://action.seiu.org/page/s/joinforefca

President Obama said it best on Labor Day: When we all stand together, we all rise together.

Together we can get our economy back on track with the Employee Free Choice Act. Thanks for your help.

Michael Whitney

SEIU.org

More from Maine Public Broadcasting on the $8.5 million grant

Click here to read and listen to MPBN's report on the $8.5 million grant that Maine is receiving.

National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

The week of September 14th through 20th is National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Senators Snowe and Collins submitted a resolution, that was agreed upon, to designate the week of September 14th as "National Direct Support Professionals Week." It is our week to shine! Direct support workers, direct care workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers, and paraprofessionals all have a week of recognition! Be sure to give yourself a pat on the back for all the work you do with those you support. Here is Governor Baldacci's proclamation pertaining to Direct Care Workers and the week of September 14th being worker recognition week. Governor Baldacci's Direct Care Worker Recognition Proclamation On September 16th, a reception will be held at the Blaine House (invitation only) at which the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program will recognize 16 Direct Care Workers for their excellence in service. Maine PASA, KVO, and 771 are working towards hosting a press event at the Statehouse Welcome Center to highlight the resolution, Maine's Direct Care Workers and Maine's current legislative efforts. As I know more about this, I'll post it.

Long-Term Care Bill signed Ceremonially by Governor Baldacci

August 31, 2009 AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 1078, "An Act To Strengthen Sustainable Long-term Supportive Services for Maine Citizens.” The bill is intended to make Maine’s system of long-term services more responsive to consumers and more sustainable during these difficult times. “This legislation focuses on finding ways to make services more flexible, while reducing redundancy,” said Governor Baldacci. “Work is already underway, lead by the Department of Health and Human Services, to improve the State’s long-term care system with the goal of making it more transparent, more portable, more responsive, and more cost effective. As we work to make our system stronger, we want to maximize independence and choice for seniors.” The Governor also recognized the critical role direct care workers play in making sure adults with long-term care needs receive support. The bill goes into effect 90 days after the close of the Legislative session, which is Sept. 12. 771's Secretary, Ted Rippy, was present at the ceremony.

Governor Ceremonially Signs Health Care Legislation

August 24, 2009 AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 1205, “An Act to Establish a Health Care Bill of Rights,” and LD 1444, “An Act to Protect Consumers and Small Business Owners from Rising Health Care Costs.” “Maine remains a national leader on health care reform and consumer protections,” Governor Baldacci said. “This legislation will improve transparency in the health insurance marketplace and provide the public with more information about the quality and cost of health care services.” LD 1205 gives the State’s insurance superintendent more authority to oversee rate increases and allow consumers to more easily compare health insurance plans. The new law will also require insurance companies to provide clear, understandable explanations of the benefits when a claim is filed so that consumers have a better understanding of what is covered under their policy. LD 1444 requires the Advisory Council on Payment Reform and the Maine Health Data Organization to promote public transparency of the quality and cost of health care by publishing financial and quality information about health care services in a format that is easily accessible for consumers. The bill directs the Advisory Council to develop proposed reforms for payment reform in this State, including provider incentives for cost-effective and patient- centered health care, and deliver these recommendations to the Legislature by January 2010. Governor Baldacci was joined at the ceremony by bill sponsors, Sen. Phil Bartlett and Rep. Sharon Treat. Also attending the ceremony were members of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee and supporters of the Legislation. The laws go into effect on Sept. 12.

Congressman Mike Michaud held a Health Care Forum in Fairfield

Last Tuesday, September 1st, Congressman Michaud held a health care forum at the Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield. I was one of the invitees. It was an honor to be invited. I was one of the twenty-five or so guests. Many came as professionals representing organizations, many came as individuals. Some of the organizations represented were the SEIU, AFL-CIO, AARP, the Maine nursing home lobby, and a residential facility in Waterville. Some of the individuals there were health care professionals, such as myself, a physician, and a psychologist. I told the congressman what it is like, being a direct care worker, taking care of elders and those with disabilities in their homes, and making low wages and having no health insurance. I told him I'm a health care worker with no health care coverage. I told him that workers like me, making low wages, need to have the public option in health care reform. I told him that no matter what Congress comes up with in the end for reform, the public option needs to be part of it. The public option will help workers like me get affordable, decent coverage. I also told Congressman Michaud my personal story with health insurance in the private market here in Maine. I told him of my discovery of having a $30,000 deductible, instead of what I thought was a $10,000 deductible, to be met before my family's health insurance would kick in a penny. I told him that this is also another reason to keep the public option in reform. I got a round of applause after I had my say. There was only one person that spoke against the public option, saying that health care needs to stay in the hands of private insurers. Everyone else that spoke to health reform, said that the public option is the way to go. The surprising thing that came out of this forum was the overwhelming support for a public option and even a single-payer system. Congressman Michaud's staff was completely surprised by this. They wanted to get views from both sides. The folks representing nursing homes spoke of the problems with low Medicaid reimbursement, the problems with the length of stays Medicare will cover in a rehab center, and the problems faced when drastic cuts are made to Medicaid. Congressman Michaud told us that he wants to make sure the Medicare Trust Fund stays solvent and around for years to come. He also stated that he does not yet know which way he is going to vote. He supports shoring up Medicare. He wants to see what the final health care reform bill looks like before he decides which way to vote. Congressman Michaud was reassuring in that he encouraged all of us to keep up the noise when it comes to reform. He said that he wants as many different views on health care as he can possibly get. I thought that was great. After the event, I personally thanked Congressman Michaud for co-sponsoring HR 868. This is a bill that is going to change or do something with Social Security to increase the wages of direct care workers. I don't yet know the specifics on this, but I do know he is one of the bill's sponsors. We are making noise and it seems to be paying off in small bunches. When it comes to health care reform, we've got to keep making our voices heard. Especially now that Congress is preparing to go back to work on this later this week.

Maine's Direct Care Workers to gain Health Coverage through a $8.5 Million Grant

September 3, 2009 AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci learned today that Maine will receive $8.5 million this year to provide affordable health insurance for uninsured part-time, seasonal and direct care workers in large businesses. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the grant today while visiting Maine. The State is also eligible for up to $8.5 million each year for the next four years, for a total of $42.5 million over the five year project period. “We are very pleased to be one of the States selected in this very competitive national grant program,” said Governor Baldacci. “Our Office of Health Policy and Finance led the team that put together the proposal. These are much needed funds that enable the Dirigo Health Agency to serve more uninsured part-time, seasonal and direct-care workers. Importantly, the grant will also help Dirigo to become an insurance exchange, as envisioned in national health reform proposals.” This funding will allow the Dirigo Health Agency to help part-time, seasonal and direct care workers in firms with more than 50 employees. Those firms are more likely to offer employer-based health insurance. Vouchers will help workers purchase coverage through private health insurance plans offered by their employers. Any health insurance plan meeting criteria for comprehensive coverage may be purchased with the vouchers. Trish Riley, Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance, will serve as project director, managing subcontracts with the Dirigo Health Agency for provision of health coverage. The Muskie School at University of Southern Maine will conduct an evaluation of the work. The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance will convene a Business Advisory Committee with the Dirigo Health Agency to guide the program and assist in the design of a special insurance plan to be offered by Dirigo in July 2010 for part-time and seasonal workers who do not have access to workplace health insurance. “Dirigo is a work in progress,” said Riley. “This grant supports Dirigo and allows the Agency the opportunity to innovate and provide affordable coverage this year to nearly 3,500 Mainers employed as direct care workers or in part-time and seasonal jobs. These are uninsured workers in jobs that are key to Maine’s economy who now will have an opportunity to secure affordable coverage.” Uninsured direct care, seasonal and part-time workers who work in large firms that provide health insurance will be able to enroll in January 2010 and receive vouchers to make that coverage affordable. With the Business Advisory Group, a special plan to meet the needs of other seasonal and part-time workers who are not offered health insurance at work will be developed next year. The Dirigo Health Agency has been undergoing a restructuring of the product offered, as required by law, and will add this new product to its portfolio. I was at the forum with Secretary Sebelius today at U Maine. I heard it with my own ears! Yes, we will be able to insure some of Maine's Direct Care Workers. We've gained a significant victory today, but we cannot stop until all of Maine's Direct Care Workers are covered. -Helen