Anticipating an influx of federal dollars for budget-squeezed states, a national health care foundation on Friday predicted that some $40 billion would be available to states’ Medicaid programs and the Children’s Health Insurance Program shortly after Barack Obama assumes the United States presidency next month.
Maine’s share would be about $228 million over the next two years, according to the report released by Families USA, a nonprofit organization for health care consumers. State offices were closed Friday because of the weather, but the head of a conservative Maine-based policy center cautioned that Maine’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, is unsustainable even in more flush economic times and should be downsized.
The proposed Medicaid increase is contained in an economic stimulus package recently introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. The same bill contains new funding for states’ infrastructure projects such as bridge and road repairs. If the stimulus package were approved, the federal government would boost its match to states’ Medicaid spending by 8 percent for the next two fiscal years. An average of about 43 cents of every Medicaid dollar now is paid by state budgets, and 57 cents is paid by the federal government.
The increase would help sustain and expand critical health care and social services for low-income, elderly and disabled Americans as well as those newly affected by the ailing national economy, according to Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. In addition, he said, it would help support job retention and growth in agencies that provide those services.
“Families across the nation are being battered economically during this recession, and they qualify in increasing numbers, through job losses and pay cuts, for the health safety programs like Medicaid and CHIP,” Pollack said. “Tragically, however, as Maine and other states struggle to balance their budgets, families in increasing numbers are seeing their benefits reduced and co-pays increased, and too many are being barred from safety-net health coverage.”
In addition to helping states meet the growing demand for Medicaid and CHIP, the proposed funding increase is expected to help create up to 4,300 new jobs in Maine with $143 million in new wages and to generate an estimated $380 million in new business activity, according to the report.
Maine is one of 43 states facing a budget deficit, and one of 19 that recently have cut, or proposed cutting, Medicaid spending to save money, the report states.
Maine has not proposed tightening general MaineCare eligibility standards as some states have. But it already has decreased benefits in some programs as part of the budget curtailments ordered by Gov. John Baldacci in November.
Additionally, because the state Department of Health and Human Services is charged with cutting $110 million in its coming two-year budget, a number of other changes are anticipated in the MaineCare budget proposal that will be presented to the Legislature in January. These include eliminating some services, reducing pay-ments to doctors and hospitals, and increasing the amount some enrollees must pay in the form of co-pays and deductibles.
Maine has one of the highest Medicaid participation rates of all the states, with about one of every five residents now enrolled. In addition, about 15,000 Maine children are covered under CHIP, which is available to families who make too much to qualify for MaineCare but not enough to afford private insurance.
Tarren Bragdon, executive director of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, said Friday that it is important to respond to the increasing demand on the state’s health care safety net related to the economic crisis, but he cautioned that MaineCare is already oversized.
“It’s not just a question of is MaineCare affordable during this economic downturn,” he said. “It wasn’t affordable when times were better.” Bragdon said the state must scale back eligibility, especially for young childless adults and the parents of young children.
MaineCare’s low reimbursement rates drive up the cost of health care for those who pay out of pocket or who have private insurance, Bragdon said, and he cautioned against the federal government’s approach of “borrowing unprecedented amounts of money” to stimulate the economy.
The proposed temporary funding increase is “one-time money” that should be spent on paying “one-time bills,” such as the millions of Medicaid dollars owed to Maine hospitals, Bragdon said, and not on startup programs such as Dirigo Health, funded in 2003 with a one-time Medicaid allocation of $53 million.
The full Families USA report, “A Painful Recession: States cut health safety net programs” is available online at www.familiesusa.org.
On 12/13/08 at 7:06 AM,
garysavard wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Maine's whole welfare system desperately needs to be fixed. As long as we remain one of the easiest states in the country to obtain welfare in, we will remain a magnet for migrant professional entitlement seekers. I have absolutely no problem with taking care of our own, but we need measures like a residency requirement and such to keep people from getting off the Greyhound from wherever and instantly qualifying for every benefit in the system. With little exception, the status quo is a major drag on Maine's economy. Time for some drastic leadership changes in Augusta.
On 12/13/08 at 7:34 AM,
BobByn wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Time to spend MaineCare dollars wisely. Time to discontinue wasteful programs such as the brain injury recreational therapy program - reimburses providers over $63,000 a year per client, for a 22 hour week, by unliscensed employees with no special education, in group settings of 4 clients to one employee. This incredible reimbursement is on top of MaineCare's housing, medical, and food costs. Same clients have been attending such programs for years and years. Any therapeutic component has long since evolved into the world's most expensive adult daycare. These clients are exploited by MaineCare for the sake of federally matched dollars. Clients are afraid not to attend programs like this for fear of losing MaineCare benifits. MaineCare recipients have a right to make their own choices. MaineCare needs to make better choices also - to redirect tax payer's money from extravagant programs like this, to programs that provide basic necessities for Maine people that are cold, hungry, and out of work.
On 12/13/08 at 8:33 AM,
augustagoverned wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
23% of Maine people are on Mainecare/Medicaid. The national average is a little over 7%. Maine politicians put far more effort into welfare than anything else. We are the Bum State.
On 12/13/08 at 8:52 AM,
eastmainer wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Low paying jobs , or no job at all and the high cost of medical insurance are the reasons so many are on Mainecare. There are a lot of medical insurances that have such a high deductible that people who have the insurance still can't afford to get medical treatment. Even people that have finally gotten to 65 so they can have Medicare still need to have supplimental medical insurance to go with it. The Medicare is taken out of their Social Security check before they get it and they have to pay $250 or more for the supplimental as well.
I agree the whole program needs an overhaul. There are a lot of wasteful programs. Basic Medical treatment isn't one of them.
On 12/13/08 at 9:13 AM,
pcme2000 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Way to put it "BobByn", Were did you find that info? If that info is true it is crazy to keep paying for stuff like that.
On 12/13/08 at 9:42 AM,
BobByn wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Maine DHHS- Office of Adults with Cognitive & Physical Disability Services-Jane Gallivan, Director.
On 12/13/08 at 10:27 AM,
David889327 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Garysavard, I, too, had heard that there were reduced eligibility requirements for welfare in Maine compared to other neighboring states, and I believed it until I stumbled across the following DHHS webpage:
On 12/13/08 at 10:58 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
You all need to take a breath before you let this posting spin off into the standard "let's rail against welfare recipients" language. Bobbyn, I'm sorry that you have some vendetta against a particular organization, but I'd be much more interested to hear from the family members of people who actually receive services than from someone with an outside perspective, about how beneficial a program is. There must evidence supporting the kind of programming that you're criticizing or it likely would not exist in these tight times.
All of you sitting at home with enough leisure time to read this paper (probably over expensive high speed DSL), should thank your lucky stars that you are not in need of the kinds of services that Mainecare provides. No, I'm not talking about welfare, I'm talking about treatment for major mental illness, head injury, disease, intergenerational poverty, etc. If nothing else, please take a moment to inform yourselve before you do any more griping in this forum.
On 12/13/08 at 11:21 AM,
hrdwkngmom wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
I think the Mainecare program is a wonderful thing. If it were not for Mainecare, many of this State's children would not have the medical care they need. There are plenty of jobs that do not provide health insurance and if they do sometimes they are not adequate enough to utilize. Some healthcare programs through employers are too expensive for even full working families. I don't consider Mainecare welfare at all. I consider it medical security for so many people in this state.
My employers insurance is a bit expensive, my husbands a lot cheaper. We utilize both because what one does not pay the other just might.
Mainecare protects the lives of this State's children and although I may be against other programs I am in all ways thankfull the children in this State get the care they need.
On 12/13/08 at 11:26 AM,
BobByn wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Bangorian, sounds like you are dependent on MaineCare reimbursement for your livlihood...perhaps some soul searching is in progress??
On 12/13/08 at 12:14 PM,
hrdwkngmom wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Bobyn....Just comment on your statment. Just because one stands up for a program does not mean they utilize it. Mainecare also has seperate programs for working people called Cub Care. These working parents cannot aford their employers insurance so they pay the state a co pay per month as well as a co pay for every appointment they have. I know many people who utilize this program and they are hard working people with 2 incomes.
Your name is new here....Maybe you are RealCherry surfacing again for injecting ignorance seems to be the daily task...
On 12/13/08 at 12:50 PM,
Bangorian wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Errrr, not sure where you got that from. I was just confronting the tendency of many readers to jump on the negativity band wagon when someone with a vendetta starts throwing darts from behind an anonymous screen name, that's all.
On 12/13/08 at 2:13 PM,
BobByn wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Boy, quick to label someone with the V word just for citing some MaineCare program funding. Sure your not a MaineCare provider??
On 12/13/08 at 4:05 PM,
Tikitorch wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
All I can say is they fundthis but are taking away breakfast ofr Seniors in Assisted Living..... Disturbing~!
On 12/13/08 at 8:35 PM,
Louise wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
BobByn------Sounds like your trying to make sure everyone knows your a jerk! ---------hrdwkngmom, this Cub Care program can be a lifesaver in very hard times. 3 years ago my sister lost her only child in an auto accident. She left behind a little 6 years old girl that my sister is now raising and providing for.Sis's husband died 10 years ago with cancer. My sister has a good job but the ins. benifits were atrocious! She was able to get Cub Care for the little girl for a while and what a difference it made for them. Now she is on her Gram's work ins. But it saved them at the time. Everybody does not abust the system as so many like to think they do. Some times a little help like this makes a big difference when your working so hard to make things right.------- And Tikitorch, I think taking breakfast away from these elderly people is absolutely horrid!The one thing about assisted living is it is what it says. Assisted. Hopefully these people have family that can bring in basic foods for breakfast' Most of the assisted people can get some cereal, a muffin or something to keep them until lunch. Not that this makes it right. All I know is that some of the programs that people bitch about so much are lifesavers for other's. I hope that none of you ever have to go thru what my sister has. But if you ever do, I bet your opinion will change big time!
On 12/13/08 at 10:58 PM,
jdboys wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Here we go again... People don't know there facts and need a class on, one on one..... I get really pissed of when people refer to maine care as welfare!!!!!
I'll tell you i fought for this country!!!! and myself and my kids and wife get maine care!!!!! Now, that i'm disable.. What the hell do you want me to do???? And yes my wife works full time!!!!! I also did till my misshap in the service!!! Any way, sure I use the card.... I need too, for my injeurys..
But, when you go to the doc's office and see people there usen maine care for a cold, or runny nose is bull shit..... Enough said!!!!! Thats why maine care can't keep up....
Here in Maine how many people do you think can afford insurance on there own making $7.25 an hr...... Lets get real people!!!!!!! Think about it....
On 12/13/08 at 11:05 PM,
jdboys wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
To Bangorian,,,, Finally someone who understands!!!!!!!!!! Theese People Don't even know what the hell is going on.There good to shoot there mouths off and shit... They honestly don't know.. They like to shoot there mouths off...
Thanks for taking our side... It is 100 % true what this person wrote!!!!!!!!
On 12/14/08 at 12:07 AM,
hrdwkngmom wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
This isn't about food stamps and soda people...this is about the HEALTH of our people! Mainecare makes it possible for children to be vaccinated...mainecare makes sure our sick children are healed...Mainecare in my opinion is NOT welfare...Anyone against Mainecare needs to re think their stance...Without Mainecare the children in this state would be in dire straits.
I know like I said plenty of 2 income families recieving Cub Care or Mainecare....they didn't apply at DHHS, they applied through the School system!
My sister adopted 3 children, had 2 of her own prior. They had 2 incomes and were doing great until times got tough, oil at 4.90 a gallon, gas at 4.00 a gallon...They had a total of 7 mouths to feed...Then my sisters illness prevented her from returning to work for she has suffered a Chronic illness since a child...Her husbands insurance rates went up, they lost her insurance...They get Cub Care for the children and they PAY for it...They pay a Monthly fee as well as a normal co pay every appointment they go to and a co pay for every prescription they have to get...
So to those whom think that Maincare/cub care is a free welfare ride..Think again....It's a god send to make sure the children and families in this State do not go without medical treatment!!
On 12/14/08 at 6:20 AM,
Richard37 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
What hrdwkngmom isnt telling you is that cub care only cost pennies on the dollar,while the rest of us hard working people without insurance have to pay full price for our children.If someone goes out of their way to adopt more mouths to feed,they should get nothing,you adopted them you feed,clothe,and pay for their medical.What gives you the right to push your problems on to other people that are barely surviving?Maine is the BUM state,so many lazy people looking for something for nothing,its time to shut it all down,get back to basics.What we need to do is put people who line up for free stuff to work,not for the $40-50 an hour they think there worth(and many who have worked for that willnot be demeaned working for less)at minimum wage like the rest of us.If you cannot support yourself get a job or go hungry.
On 12/14/08 at 8:25 AM,
Louise wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Richard37-----You certainly sound like a miserable man! I don't see where anyone was pushing their problems on to anyone. You think your barely surviving? Join the party, mister! Some people love children and want to take care of them. Some don't, as we read here every day. We all know how hard it is to pay for insurance. Thje Cub Care some of us were talking about is Not free, it helps care for the children, sometimes for a short period. And yes, there are a Lot of lazy people out there, but don't lump everyone in the same group! At least you can be thankful that you have all your children alive and well!!
On 12/14/08 at 9:29 AM,
BobByn wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
I wanted to take a moment to try to further explain my point. MaineCare plays a VERY important role helping people. What the state of Maine doesn't want to get out, is that MaineCare reimburses MANY private companies millions of dollars every year for "particular programs". For every dollar the state pays these "particular programs", the state is reimbursed two dollars from the federal government. For example, if MaineCare reimburses a particular provider $3 million dollars a year, the state makes $6 million. The state of Maine and the DHHS is in the business of making money on certain programs. Hence, programs designed at first to be therapeutic have become more of a lifestyle as the years progress for these recipients. Not the recipients fault at all, their MaineCare Provider is just fortunate enough to have a program that is federally reimbursed.
Many programs(like the one mentioned somewhere above)are federally reimbursed, but...many more are not. EVERYTIME the budget comes up for review, the Appropriations committee and legislators will totally ignore the "money making" programs and will instead go after programs they can easily touch. The "touchable" programs are anything not federally reimbursed, such as the Shaw House, Eastern Agency on Aging/Assisted living facilities, In home healthcare for elderly, homeless shelters, and on and on and on.
The state will take away from programs that are already scraping to get by for the sake of maintaining federally reimbursed programs. There was an article in the paper a few weeks ago when a state official(I think it was Brenda Harvey)FINALLY admitted, that for the first time the state may have to look at reducing reimbursment on some federally reimbursed programs to help sustain others.
MaineCare plays an important, vital role in helping people, but the playing field is not balanced. When dates are set for closing teen shelters, or discontinuing food for our elderly, while at the same time paying millions to other programs, it's obvious things have gotten way out of control. Officials need to distinguish between what is needed and what is not when they deliberate the budget, but NO programs should be deemed "untouchable" because of federal reimbursement only.
On 12/14/08 at 2:18 PM,
lalizz wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
My goodness. Such vitriolic crap! Why can't we take care of one another without calling names and equating whether one person is worse off than another? We are all going to die, but ask yourself how you are going to feel on your last breath?
On 12/14/08 at 4:21 PM,
Richard37 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
I sleep like a baby,thank-you very much.
On 12/14/08 at 7:35 PM,
JWBooth wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Sounds like a $228-million Sugar Plumb for the physicians, hospitals, and other assorted compassion professionals. Given one million Maine citizens with one out of five on the health care dole, it sounds like $1000 per head in extra billing for the physicians. At last the physicians will be able to afford that second yacht.
Post a comment about this story
You must be logged in to post a comment.
click here to log in.
