(Augusta) With bipartisan support the Maine house voted to pass a first in the country law which would eliminate lifetime and annual caps from health insurance plans in the state. Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC) is thrilled by the House's 99-38 vote to pass LD 1620, "An Act to Protect Health Care Consumers from catastrophic Medical Debt." CAHC released a report in January, False Security: Health Insurance That Doesn't Pay When You Need It Most, which explains why getting rid of these caps is better for Maine people and our economy.
"To see Maine once again lead the nation with its protections for our people, is so exciting. It is great that we can protect people, who have worked hard and paid taxes and insurance premiums from losing their homes and life savings, just because they got sick - and at such a small cost. We don't need to wait years for proposed federal reforms to go into effect to protect Maine families and businesses. We hope the Senate supports this bipartisan bill and gives Maine people the immediate relief they need," says CAHC Executive Direct, Joe Ditre.
LD 1620 is sponsored by House Majority Whip Seth Berry and has 46 bipartisan co-sponsors.
"No Maine family should every have to risk losing their homes or their life savings because a family member has been diagnosed with cancer, hemophilia, AIDS, multiple sclerosis - or any other illness that tends to accrue medical bills quickly," said sponsor Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham. "In this tough economy, Maine families cannot afford to wait for the federal reforms to be enacted. It could take years and people need our support now."
Economists have proven that when people have good health coverage and can get the care they need when they need it, it cost to our economy and health care system is far less than when people are uninsured.
The Senate will take up the bill next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment