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