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1-18-11 Maine Advocacy Newsletter
Maine Government Relations & Advocacy Newsletter
January 18, 2011
SAVE THE DATE: ACS Lobby Day on Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:30 am - 12 noon, State House, Augusta. All staff and volunteers are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Maureen ([email protected])
State Budget - Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program
As you may have heard in the news, last Wednesday, the Governor released the proposed Supplemental Budget for state fiscal year 2010-2011. We are in the middle of the state fiscal year, so the new budget is for the remainder of the fiscal year. With revenues expected to be $111 million more than originally budgeted, the state is facing a revenue surplus for the remainder of the fiscal year. Despite the promising economic forecast, the proposed budget includes a $60,000 cut to the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program. This funding was originally allocated for recruitment and outreach in the program. These funds were being used for recruitment contracts that were terminated and not renewed by the program. ACS will oppose this cut to the program. Outreach for this important program is critically important so that eligible individuals are aware of the program. Public hearings on the supplemental budget are expected to begin the week of January 24th.
Access to Affordable, Quality Health Care
Affordable Care Act Implementation
LD 58, "An Act To Prohibit Enforcement of the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" was printed last week. This bill prohibits state and federal employees from implementing or enforcing the Affordable Care Act. It sets fines of up to $5,000 for violations. The bill is sponsored by Representative Cebra (R-Naples).This bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, but a public hearing has not been set. ACS will submit testimony in opposition to this bill as there are many provisions of the law that benefit those affected by cancer, including prohibitions on lifetime and annual coverage limits and pre-existing condition exclusions.
Other Health Care Access Bills
LD 60, "An Act To Extend Coverage under the State's Mini-COBRA Law," was also printed last week. This bill extends COBRA coverage under Maine law to be more generous than that required by federal law. Maine currently allows COBRA to be offered by employers of fewer than 20 employees for up to 12 months. Current federal law allows COBRA to be offered by employers of more than 20 employees for up to 18 months. This bill makes COBRA coverage available for 36 months under the state law and, to the extent possible, under federal law. The bill is sponsored by Representative Lovejoy (D-Portland). ACS will submit testimony in support of this as it provides another option for quality, health care coverage for those that lose or leave their job.
National Policy Landscape
Affordable Care Act - Following the tragedy in Arizona and the subsequent cancellation of legislative business last week, leaders in the House of Representatives have announced that debate on a proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act will begin Tuesday, Jan. 18, with a vote likely on Wednesday the 19th. The debate will not include a meaningful plan to replace the critical patient protections that would be lost with the law's repeal. ACS CAN continues to work to educate lawmakers about the important provisions that improve the health care system for cancer patients and their families, including:
Banning pre-existing condition exclusions,
Eliminating annual and lifetime benefit limits,
Guaranteeing health coverage to all applicants,
Prohibiting insurance companies from charging people more for coverage because of their health status, and
Refocusing the health care system on disease prevention and early detection.
SAVE THE DATE: ACS Lobby Day on Thursday, February 17, 2011, 8:30 am - 12 noon, State House, Augusta. All staff and volunteers are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Maureen ([email protected])
To join ACS CAN or donate to our advocacy efforts, please go to: www.fightcancer.org/donate
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nonprofit, nonpartisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers and candidates to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. Through ACS CAN, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results in the fight against cancer. ACS CAN does not endorse candidates. Because we use your donations to support our citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts to end cancer, contributions to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc., are not tax-deductible.
Hilary Schneider
State Director of Government Relations and Advocacy