AUGUSTA, Maine — The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to notify some Mainers who are expected to lose their health insurance coverage under Medicaid soon.
Come Oct. 1, thousands of Mainers are slated to lose benefits under MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, through controversial cuts aimed at balancing the budget that have fiercely divided lawmakers this year.
Democrats and Republicans agreed on one cut, however, that tightens income limits for about 12,000 parents who are on MaineCare. Lawmakers voted earlier this year to change the threshold at which residents qualify for MaineCare from 200 percent of the poverty level to 133 percent. For a family of four, that’s a change from a threshold of $46,100 in income a year to $30,657 a year.
“We will be shortly sending out a notice to consumers who are affected by the eligibility change from 200 percent to 133 percent for the parents,” DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew told members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee on Monday. “It is all subject to federal approval, so the notice will continue to reference that.”
Medicaid is run jointly by the state and federal governments.
Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, said he worried that recipients due to lose coverage will be confused unless the letter makes clear that the cut won’t take effect without a green light from the feds.
“We might as well get ready for the phone calls when they get the letters because people will not understand,” he said.
Mayhew said DHHS will carefully draft the letter to avoid confusion and make staff available to answer any questions.
“We are equally concerned about the sensitivity to how that letter is interpreted,” she said. “We are also concerned about not providing adequate notice.”
Sen. Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, the committee’s co-chairman, pointed out that the panel unanimously approved the cut earlier this year.
Any changes the state makes to the MaineCare program must pass federal muster and comply with President Barack Obama’s federal health reform law.
Maine’s move to lower the qualifying income from 200 percent of the poverty level to 133 percent is allowed under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. But a follow-up budget bill subsequently passed in the state Legislature by Republicans includes additional rollbacks that have caused a face-off between the LePage administration and the federal government over how much freedom the state has to balance its Medicaid budget in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the health reform law.
The court largely upheld the reform law, but ruled the federal government cannot penalize states that choose not to participate in the law’s call to expand the Medicaid program to millions of low-income Americans.
The state cuts at issue take the income restrictions a step further, lowering the qualifying income to 100 percent of the poverty level, or $23,050 a year for a family of four. While lawmakers passed the income restrictions in two stages, both are set to take effect at the same time, and both are subject to federal approval.
The budget bill also eliminates Medicaid coverage for 19- and 20-year-olds and makes cuts to a program that helps elderly and disabled people to afford insurance and prescription drugs.
The additional reductions would affect 23,000 people in Maine, Mayhew said.
DHHS won’t send notices to recipients about those cuts until the federal government weighs in on the department’s interpretation of the Supreme Court decision, Mayhew said.
Gov. Paul LePage’s administration, Maine Attorney General William Schneider and other Maine Republicans have said the ruling paves the way for the state to go ahead with the cuts by applying for a routine amendment to Maine’s Medicaid plan. Democrats, citing a July report and a letter from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, argue that the cuts require a special waiver from the feds because the reductions violate a provision of the law that bans states from cutting existing Medicaid services before 2014.
DHHS has requested an expedited ruling on the cuts from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In the meantime, the department is reviewing the cases of MaineCare recipients set to lose coverage to see what other benefits they might qualify for, Mayhew said.
“Mayhew said DHHS will carefully draft the letter to avoid confusion”…
Yeah because we all know that will work!
I’m not a fan of Mayhew, I think she is a hack. But the person drafting this letter is Dale Denno, the deputy commisioner. And while he is WAY full of himself. He handled the breach of confidenitality debacle with class and proactivity. I expect these letters to be well worded, but the fact remains, most people will see the negative aspects of the letter, and stop reading, then call their local office.
Should be an interesting few months at DHHS.
So what she’s saying is that she will “oversee” the writing of the letter. NiCe — at least we have the money for that! How many people does it take to write a letter — then I love the comment about having people ready to answer questions — how many more people did they hire to handle this mess!
They haven’t hired anyone. What they are tying to do is streamline a way to handle the influx of calls, on top of the already dense influx of calls. Also, it is by definition, Mayhew’s job to oversee every aspect of DHHS, that doesn’t mean she writes policy or every letter to go out.
I think Governor LaPage and Commissioner Mayhew are corrupt
yup selfish
You are not alone!
Now that is really foolish thinking
If you toss in just about every politician we have in washington (especially the one in the white house), I would agree with you…
Politicians are corrupt, it’s in their nature.
Those in favor of this fail to realize there are innocent people (such as children and the disabled) who need help to thrive/survive. I’m quite sure neither of them chose to be in their particular situation. Children and the disabled shouldn’t be penalized due to all of the able bodied deadbeats who cheat the system
I have a friend who I worked with for several years. she always did a good job with no complaints and had great attendence. She is around 75. She was just laid off because her job was sent to Singapore by a parent company in Wischonsin. She draws approx $500 a month in Social Security. Because of a bill sporsered by Chris Rector last session, she won’t be able to draw unemployment since she already gets S.S. She won’t be able to get help from DHS because she is single and doesn’t meet the criteria. she will probably end up losing her home which has been in her family for generations. Where does a person 75 years old go for a job? Good job Chris! Good job Paul! You should be proud of yourselves.
Walmart and McDonalds.
She is long ago eligable for medicare, so medicaid shouldn’t be an issue for your friend
Medicare doesn’t put food on the table or oil in the tank! The Repubs kicked this lady while she was down!
gsgopher, sorry, I didn’t see in this article anything about food stamps, only about health insurance. BTW, food on the table via food stamps is a federally administered program. (USDA).
Like I said, she’s eligible for lots of freebies, she only needs to apply.
Chris Rectum is just another Lepage, rubber stamp artist Stooge , he also slashed the right of someone injured in the workforce from collecting more than 10 years of Workers Compensation benefits for a serious life alterateing injury that would cause permanent partial disability!
Vote Chris Rector out of office ASAP!
There is a reason the job got sent to Singapore. It simply cost too much to stay in the US with all its regulations. Get rid of the regulations and we would not have this issue. This is not Chris or Paul’s vault, it is the result of regulations and benefits that are not affordable, which were created by the Democrats.
Her job went to Singapore so some greedy businessman could make his bottom line look better by a couple of dollars a year. She is one of over a hundred, by the way. Paying her taxes all her life and all she can expect out of the State is a good kick in the ribs while she is down!
Before she looses her home, I’m assuming it would be due to property taxes. Advise her to try to sell it. Perhaps that would provide her with enough income to rent an apt. If she is only receiving $500.00 a month in SS she is eligible for many programs. She only needs to get informed.
I think you’ll find that she was only getting $500 in Social Security because she was employed. Now that she isn’t employed, she needs to go back to the Social Security office so she can get the full benefits.
The state is broke, we cannot provide benefits. No money, because we have only a few good paying jobs. Keep it up and those employers will leave also.
Thats not true!
The State Is NOT Broke!
We are being Robbed!
You should be used to it after what the last 30 years has done to you.
The State is broke because LePage gave over $70 million in tax breaks to the rich in this state! There’s no getting around that. He is more interested in bleeding the working Mainers dry than finding jobs for Maine. He doesn’t give a hoot about anyone who can’t line his pocket. Government exists to support the people, not the other way around.
He has been seen in alot of restaurants too! I have to brown bag it for lunch .Then they can too. There’s some fat that can be trimmed in the budget.
Give me a break! The state didn’t get broke just because LePage became governor!
Yeah! It did!
Haven’t you heard?
He enacted The Biggest Tax Cuts in the History of Maine!
You don’t only go broke due to spending, you can also go broke by cutting what you bring in!
Keep drinking the dems koolaid!
Unfortunately, those who oppose tightening up the guidelines enable the “able bodied deadbeats who cheat the system”. You can’t have it both ways.
Upta, you’re far too generous in your assessment when you say they “don’t realize”. They DO realize it full well. They just don’t care! They’d rather have that few extra dollars in their wallet every month, (enough to buy a six-pack or a bottle of wine) than see those people you mentioned have adequate health care.
and there will be disabled/children who need help who live in houses with incomes well over these levels. 133% of the poverty level is more in-line with what other states are doing. What leads you to believe that Maine can afford to be more generous?
We pay the highest taxes in the nation and already have inadequate benefits. Every MaineCare user now has to worry whether they can get the necessary medicines and medical care in order to just survive. Good going Governor. I guess he’s looking to do as much damage as he can before we get our new Governor.
Maine is #9 on the list of highest taxes, and non-residents pay over 35% of the total taxes : http://247wallst.com
LePage is only implementing what Obamacare is allowing him to do.
LOL –When it’s called Fiscal Conservatism you call it good, ” good job Governor ” lets end 40 years of Democrat Waste!
When someone puts a human cost to it , you call it Obamas fault!
Absolutely Amazing!
You read a lot more into my comment than what was actually there. I never credited or faulted anyone, just stated a fact.
Yeah! I quess that I did!
I apologize as I should have not used the word ” you ” and inserted the word “some”!
It is not really a fact however as from what the article said the Lepage went beyond and was at odds with the federal government .
” Maine’s move to lower the qualifying income from 200 percent of the poverty level to 133 percent is allowed under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. But a follow-up budget bill subsequently passed in the state Legislature by Republicans includes additional rollbacks that have caused a face-off between the LePage administration and the federal government over how much freedom the state has to balance its Medicaid budget in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the health reform law. “
I think you’re right Bustd, but let me get this straight now. The feds have told us the waiver is unlikely, the US Supreme Court has upheld Obamacare, and governor “wonderful” is going to try to cut anyway. So 23,000 people will ultimately, eventually get their healthcare back, and the State will have to reimburse them and/or the medical facilities, but first some of the 23,000 have to suffer and maybe even a few die, so LePage can flex his muscles. Does that sound about right? All he’s going to do is cost us money in paperwork, legal services, and postage, and needlessly alarm thousands of people for nothing. Gosh, no wonder he’s so popular.
Lets get this straight, we have a very low wage scale because their are few good paying jobs. No jobs no benefits. This is from 42 years of Democratic control of our economy.
No it’s not. How do you come up with this crap? It is GOP doctrine that has screwed the American worker. Stop listening to that entertainer Limbaugh and pay attention will you!
Well, I don’t know. It’s a lot of things. However I did just read an article from the city of Chicago where they are trying to cut expenses but can’t fire, due to union rules a horse shoer employed in the fire department even though the fire dept. no longer has any horses…..could that be part of the liberal union problem???
So, it’s Obama’s fault that the economy sucks nationally, but it’s not LePage’s fault that the economy sucks in Maine?
The fault is Fed. Congress, and State’s Congress – and we all Nationwide in voting. No President, or State Governor has total control over – regardless of Party, due to the system the Constitution’s in allow – and the checks and balances. Every new Pres. or Governor will be stuck cleaning up from previous.
Terms and limitations on Congressional members, both Federal and States, need to be changed and the allowances we elect them under.
Congress is the pivotal group in votes – and most run for election to receive benefits we locked into paying – their hiring terms for that vote needs to be changed so that voted in – are asking for the position to make a difference, rather than looking for a way to advance in politics and earn more money/ free healthcare/ paid vaca’s. etc.
This is an example – Congress is provided healthcare.
This has nothing to do with Obamacare. The Supreme court just struck down the portion of medicare in Obamacare that required States to adhere to the medicare policy in Obamacare. States do not have to participate in the new rules in Obamacare regarding medicare. They can opt out and many are deciding whether or not to because essentially the new rules would bankrupt the states, after federal subsidies cease. All I can say is, it’s all confusing as heck. If our govt. at all levels would pay for what is necessary there would be plenty for all. In my state the feds just spent $93,000 installing machines at farmers markets so welfare recipients can buy whatever is sold at farmer’s markets with their EBT cards. Talk about a waste of money!! I’d rather that go to folks who need medical care. That is what is truly sad about this mess.
HELLO….P-E-O-P-L-E…last time I checked, 46K was a pretty decent income. Except in situations where a family member may be affected by a terminal illness or a serious life long disability, tell me again why they should qualify for MaineCare benefits because I don’t get it!
Because one sickness or accident can break you.
Yup, chuck them off MaineCare, but don’t allow the Affordable Care Act (the Massachusetts RomneyCare TWIN, by the way) to take effect and set up the exchanges and other provisions to reduce costs and get these folks covered. There IS the GOP for you: “Poor, working class, and middle class folks can have the shaft. Let us just help insurance company CEO’s buy more mansions, and oh, by the way, when these people now need to go the emergency rooms for their care, which are VERY expensive, and the costs get shifted to everyone else, the GOOD,” says the GOP because that is better for their corporate masters. The GOP is the most UNPATRIOTIC and UNCHRISTIAN band of corproate toadies imaginable. When LeBUFFOON kicks the bucket, he’ll be howling in the devil’s cauldron.
I am middle class and the only shafting I get is my tax money paying for freebies for others. Hate the wealthy all you want, but the libs need them so they can tax them more and more so the 50% of the country that pays virtually nothing can have their healthcare/housing/and everything else.
Times are hard, and cuts have to come from somewhere. If you want to give away more of your money, feel free to do so. Some of us think we pay enough.
Well said Tjones4 I agree with you 100%. By the way Tinserblic Mainecare covered people that I know use the emergency room for everything because for them it’s FREE, my last visit for a kidney stone on Thanksgiving day cost me over 1K out of pocket (and I have Insurance…)!
For those who are suffering from wealth-envy, I suggest you go back to school so you can start your own business and become wealthy rather than trying to siphon more and more money from others.
Gosh, it’s so sad that those slackers will have to pay their fair share and stop buying their laptops and cell phones and itunes music. Wow, they might even need to start following a budget like the rest of us!!!
Believe you me folks, it will only get worse when O-bla-bla-ma care starts to roll! Aren’t you happy you voted for LePage?
be glad when his term is up
That’ll be 2016.
If it was LePage,it will be 2014.Not soon enough.
Ayuh.
Mainers can’t hold their breath that long.
And the stench is overwhelming.
The next elevction for governor is 2014 for a 4 year term.
You are wrong no matter who wins that one.
You are right about paying some of the highest taxes in the nation, with the exception of CA. I changed my citizenship from ME to MD for exactly that reason. The other thing about ME is that they have all these rules and regulations that no one chooses to comply with!
Amen about the high taxes here in Maine. Until LePage took office Baldacci, King along with the Democrat Controlled Legislature used loopholes, legislation and other questionable tactics to ban Maine from following these Federal Welfare Laws. These laws which put time limits of up to 5 years which folks who aren’t disabled can be on these programs. The State Budget has seen massive shortfalls the past 40 years mainly because of the debacle coming from the DHHS/Welfare mess. Yet Democrats and Supporters of Welfare want us to pay for more of these programs knowing Augusta can’t pay for the programs they have now. It makes absolutely no sense at all.
Don’t blame you at all. The state could care less about your welfare.
“I changed my citizenship from ME to MD for exactly that reason.”
So please stop trying to tell Maine citizens how we should live.
The legislature is like Pontious Pilate, wringing thier hands of any responsibilty for betraying these poor folks!
For all of you Obama groupies, please read halfway down the article (paragraph12): Obamacare allows this reduction to take place! It isn’t Bush, it isn’t LePage, it is all because you drank the Obamacare kool aid. Enjoy your drink!
paragraph 3
” “We will be shortly sending out a notice to consumers who are affected by the eligibility change from 200 percent to 133 percent for the parents,” DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew told members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee on Monday. “It is all subject to federal approval,so the notice will continue to reference that.”
And you believe the Feds are going to allow this?
I don’t think you understand what you are reading but clearly you wanted to take a pathetic, feeble, and lame swipe at the President.
Mission Accomplished tex.
The ACA allows this because the ACA or the feds will subsidize the insurance, in other words pay for all or most. The kool aid is very good thank you and not only I but you might enjoy it if you’ll learn a few things about the ACA instead of listening to others.
What I’ve learned is that by 2014 my $96.00 deduction from my SSDI check will jump to $224.00 per month ! That’s over 25 % of my monthly income.
Get rid of the Democrats. There is no free lunch.
No there isn’t!
The Republicans Ate it!
That is a direct result of Big Pharma,Big Ins. and the R’s.What makes you think they care about you?
This must be the Hope and Change he rode into town on.
agree, agree, agree
That is correct.
Yo!
” Maine’s move to lower the qualifying income from 200 percent of the poverty level to 133 percent is allowed under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
However!
” But a follow-up budget bill subsequently passed in the state Legislature by Republicans includes additional rollbacks that have caused a face-off between the LePage administration and the federal government over how much freedom the state has to balance its Medicaid budget in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the health reform law.”
The Marked differance between Democrats and Obama Haters isn’t about the Democrats ability to { read} !
It’s about the lack of the Obama haters ability to { Comprehend }!
Hopefully DHHS isn’t going to rely on the same computer system to issue this notification that they relied on to write the errant checks. But I bet they will.
Really people,, its simple and has been. The state of Maine wants the poor people to move to another state and draw from them. Now, if your from another country or a drug addit, your more than welcome.
So far they have been moving to Maine. Take a look at Millinocket.
the guy is a first class jerk
mobster
Everyone dropped should keep receipts for any medical expenditures so when the waiver is denied (as the feds have already indicated it will be) they can get reimbursed.
Lets hope they actually deactivate the cards this time… How many people was it that had been canceled that still got benifits?
” Any changes the state makes to the MaineCare program must pass federal muster and comply
with President Barack Obama’s federal health reform law. “The United States Supreme Court’s DECISION put the responsibility back on CONGRESS to resolve ” President Barack Obama’s federal health reform law “.The Supreme Court, in accordance with the United States Constitution, is telling the President what he wants to do with MEDICARE is NOT right.
Lets cut there pay and then see how they stand
Lets cut there pay and benifits and see where they stand
You mean “their”?
Your ridiculous correction shows your complete lack of compassion and focus on the meaningless appearance over content. How smart you are!
“”””All State workers”””” will be getting a raise, as of yesterday!!!!! much needed, because they are underpaid!!!!!! money prolly coming from the…. Maine Care slush fund!!!.. eldery, disabled children, single parents with small children, earning the poverty line wages…good ole Maine!!! Le Page taking care of it”s own!!! Ya right!!!
A tiny % of state workers will be getting raises. Only the most newly hired (and thus lowest paid) case workers in ONE DHHS office are getting raises. The vast majority of stste workers still are frozen out from any raise — as they have been for + years now.
“We are equally concerned about the sensitivity to how that letter is interpreted…”
Why not just write, “You’re poor, disabled, and/or elderly, so we’re throwing you under the bus.”
Or, “we are no longer giving free healthcare that OTHER states would not have given you”
What do you say to other states who would never have given free healthcare to people who were at 2x the poverty level?
For several years after we moved to Maine we were well UNDER the poverty level. We never got any type of government help…..never asked. We grew a big garden, cooked everything from scratch, (no Pepperidge Farms, etc.), ate IN…..in short, LIVED WITHIN OUR MEANS! We never, and still don’t, owned a snowsled, didn’t have color tv or computers. We raised four children this way who have grown up to be productive law-abiding citizens. Try it!
Not everyone can do that.I have a friend who is in a wheelchair at age 26 through no fault of his own.Do you think if he was able to walk and work,he wouldn’t do so even if he had to pay much more in taxes?He can’t even play with his kids now.I don’t know if these cuts will affect him,but I’m sure he’s terrified.
Many Mainers do just as you do to get by-some others are crooks who hide everything.The biggest crook I know is a rabid TPer.No surprise.
I think Gov. Lepage and family should go without health insurance for the rest of his term or maybe pay the full cost instead of the state of maine paying for it. Salary guide lines should work on both sides of the fence.. I work everyday can’t afford health insurance. Ho well join the rest of the country is the way I look at it. Gov. Lepage why don’t you overhaul Inland Fisheries they are way to top heavy in Augusta.
I believe that Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are supported by fees charged to sportsmen. They are in effect , self supporting. I wish the court system and police departments were run on a fee system. That would really cut the crime rate. Could you imagine how much cash the state would have if everyone who went just 1 mph over the speed limit paid a fine for speeding !
Who can afford health insurance? The hospital charged me $9000 for one night at EMMC. That is why health insurance in not affordable. My insurance paid half and I paid the other half. The hospital has to charge these fees because of all the silly rules and regulations they have to follow which were created by the Feds, State and local government.
Actually, the way it works an insurance company would pay a lot less. You should try to negotiate that amount down to what insurance would pay.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act which mandates that hospitals must treat everyone even ifd they cannot pay was signed into law by Ronald Reagan.
Sounds like a lot to expect from a dept. that can’t get the checks out to the correct recipients.
Its a sad thing when the elderly and disabled people get there lifeline to medical help and medications taken away while the rich keep getting richer, giveing themselves raises and the best healthcare you can get. then sending out letters to tell people there lifelines going to be cut IF the feds say its ok. Lepage seems to love to terrorize the old and weak, he’s an evil man that I’d say will never see another term in office, what kind of world is it becomeing when we can’t help each other, we ALL grow old, its a fact of life. the old and sick should be helped not thrown away.
I’m old and disabled and living on SSDI and happen to think that most my age will agree that we have to cut the waste pay our bills , and get this financial mess under control. We will make sacrifices and adjust as we have to. I also happen to think that those able bodied individuals who can work ( workfare) do so !
I agree completely – I’m going to send the state a check for $750 this morning and ask that the money be used for MaineCare. Perhaps if you and everyone else concerned about this worthy issue does the same, we can ease the pain for those who really need our help.
Are you crazy, they won’t use if for Maine Care. Take your $750.00 and find someone who you can personally help. Don’t give it to the state. By the time that $750.00 gets to actually helping someone you might have a dollar left out of it.
I love it :-)
If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand. Milton Friedman Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/milton_friedman.html#LvyQyEKeEpbIo3Om.99
I agree however the state does not have any money. We have very few people that are able to support these programs because the state Democrats have discouraged job creation with a vast array of regulations and taxes.
Agree. For example….Mainecare is now not covering diabetic testing supplies. Test strips can cost up to 45 dollars or more for a mail order 90 day supply. I would imagine a person will make sure their basic food ,shelter and heat are covered before buying tests strips thats if they dont have other necessary costs. Wonderful, now the persons presents to the ER for hypogylcemia or hyperglycemia via ambulance most likely hypothermic too cause they cantafford to heat their home. Now of course the hospital can write off to bad debt but who suffers the consequences. I dont see the savings.
Hospitals accept payment plans, and they don’t even charge interest…were is the willingness to pay in our society today?
Can they stay afloat for $10.00 a month per patient per problem???If so for how long? Most likely the cost of care will increase to make up the loss. Then insurance rates go up and so on. The clear cutting needs to stop.Inexperienced people making poor decisions who are not looking at these issues prospectively. Oh well save now pay later.
The government is culling the herd, can’t control people who work because if they have money they have choices.
Once the government can get most of the people on welfare, then those who work will give up because they are busting their backs and have to give away their money and live in worse poverty with no return when they need it to support the welfare, then they cut off the welfare and oops people die.
I do believe the elderly and handicapped should get help.
I would never give up work! I have had a job since I was 14 years old (paper route 6 days a week, mowing lawns for my customers and shoveling roofs in the winter).I amin my forties now. I also believe the elderly and disabled deserve some help, from neighbors. I think the problem is with those who are able bodied not even trying to improve thier situations…
There’s few of us left, sad to say. Funny those of us who work in my neighborhood are the ones who help our elderly neighbors while the welfare who sit and do nothing won’t lift a finger when they have all day to do so.
We take over food sometimes, mow shovel and plow their yards do minor repairs because their kids don’t live close enough to make a daily drop by. Then the welfare wonder why people don’t want to help them.
SHAME! Taking from the most needy while giving tax relief to those with the most. SHAME!! Someday they will have to answer to God when Matthew 25: 31-46.
No jobs, no money, no tax revenue, that is the shame.
On this page there’s a curious misconception that is cultivated by the very people who currently own too much of the U. S. Congress: “Once the government can get most of the people on welfare…”
The government does nothing it is not paid to do by the people who bought and manipulate it — at present, corporate America. — The very same folks who would like nothing better than to see us all so poor we’d be glad to work for them 15 hours at two dollars a day as they create reproductive legislation encouraging us to breed like earwigs to create an even greater glut of uninformed, cheap labor.
If working people and small business owners want a government that will look out for their interests, let them go out and buy their own.
The humble Farmer
“let them go out and buy their own”? What government would that be? Ours is already bought and owned by liberals.
That entire statement has absolutely no logic.
Bingo! You nailed it right and proper. People can have tea parties and harrumph all they want. But no matter what they say, how any parades they have or how many tri-corn hats they wear, their harrumphing will simply be hijacked, organized and financed by the very ones they ought most worry about – the ones already in charge who want more, more, more, and can pay the freight to get it.
Corpoamerica will never accept what angrytaxpayingpatriots have deluded themselves into believing ought to be. It doesn’t have to, not by a long shot. Resistance is futile because earwigs of the world will not learn and will not unite!
Thats a Lie!
The State Is NOT Broke!
We are being Robbed!
I wonder how the gov. and lawmakers would react if the taxpayers said no more to them.Pay raises and the govs friends and family taking up cushy jobs in the state.Pay raises to 17.00 per hr.have they looked at wally world and mickeyds and other people in the service industry also teachers.The law makers ave the best part time job ever and still get paid top dollar with bennies.
I recently watched the movie, The Hunger Games, and was appalled to realize that the world presented there was, in effect, no different than the oligarchy the Republican Party seeks (and is unfortunately succeeding) in imposing upon the rest of us “worker bees.” Mrs. Romney’s “you people,” Todd Akin’s (and Paul Ryan’s) Neanderthal view of reproductive rights, Citizen’s United… the list goes on. It is time for “We the People” to unite and fight this. Don’t be complacent. Get out and fight for our “unalienable” rights. Make phone calls. Answer the right wing talk-show talking point repeaters. Remember the opening of the Declaration of Independence: “When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” It is time.
And yet the men that wrote the Declaration of Independence had zero intention of creating a society dependent on the government for anything and in fact wanted the government out of peoples lives as much as possible.
Nice post you might also enjoy this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTDYHAyWR7A
We are in competition with all the other countries of the world. Just like in racing, if you are getting beat, you watch what the other guys are doing and try to copy it. We are still spending twice as much as any other developed country for our health care. We need to watch what the others are doing if we expect to compete with them. It shouldn’t be that hard to figure out. Other countries make fun of us because we can’t even provide health care in this great Country. I doubt if we will ever see any common sense in Washington so we are doomed to this struggling economy and more job creation overseas.
Once again,lousy reporting.There is one line and no dollar figures associated with the DEL program cuts.
Remeber when the Republicans said they would kick all the bums off of welfare? Did anyone think they meant the sick and the elderly?
$43.000.00 that.s a lot of money. I have just retired on medical retirement, and get a little pension, and I can not get medicare or Maine care. and I make1/4 of that. Have you tried to buy medical insurance. Big bucks and there is only a few Medical insurances in the state of Maine
It is good to give a heads up. But this will still come as a blow for families that are already stressed.
Go listen to this video on Youtube that has been sent to the FBI! Maine DHHS has some serious issues. Now they want to take money away from people who need it because the economy is down. Then give raises to CPS corrupt social workers who are known for taking children just because you are poor, then double bill the Fed. Gove. and make a whole lot of money off you and your family. Where nothing but Live Stock to them. Your children will suffer. Preditors navigate to fosterchildren and cps loves it.
This video has been sent to the FBI!! Go watch and hear for yourself what MAINE DHHS has been doing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5MSSJIQReU
In addition to that. Go look up the Handler’s Case. This is what they have been talking about. Little David was Secretly Adopted out wrongfull and the DHHS recieved money for it. Then DHHS continued to recieved Fed Funds for little DAVID, after he was Adopted by Force! KEPT THE MONEY.
IF YOU SEE DHHS ABUSES REPORT IT! COME FORWARD AND SAY SOMETHING.
GO TO POSTALFRONT ON FB.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR DHHS ABUSE! ZERO TOLERANCE. ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY!
I agree with Bustd, concerning the State of Maine…….. our State is one of lowest income states in the Nation, and one of the highest taxed.
I am a cancer patient, with an 8 yr. old son……….. I am having extremely hard time finding any possible job – to include Walmart or McDonald’s in my area, and have done everything I can to not ever take advantage of Maine welfare program, with exception of an absolute need of MaineCare.
I just received AGAIN, for 3rd time this year – and it now the 3rd quarter of year, and this happens every year – that I am to provide a Primary Care Provider choice. The answer is always the same and always allowed by MaineCare.
Just the employee hrs. alone to generate those multiple notices in a year to me { for no reason; it should be an annual request – or – unless primary care provider has been dropped from State list } the postage to send………….. the return mail sent to me allowing my same always made choice. If that cost is multiplied by every MaineCare recipient in State they sending to, is huge amount of wasted funds in itself.
Keep in mind, for me – that is two notices repeated multiple times per year, as my 8 yr. old son, is sent as well… updating to a comp program that groups all family members and just a simple change in format would save an unbelievable amount of money in this department.
Have you contacted the American Cancer Society for help? There is a lot of support there and often gas cards are given to help with the cost of the many trips to chemo and radiation. You describe a total waste of money being spent in a reckless manner. That is a good point to put on the table. Best wishes to you for a good recovery.
Great point!
i sure didnt vote for lapuke and i feel sorry for those who did like i have said before worst govnha maine has ever had he needs to go and soon
OK. cuts do need to happen, my question is why do they target the poor??? They start with programs, that help the poor live, I have an idea, start with congress? They get a form of Mainecare FOREEVER, They stop working, for congress, and they still get all their benefits,,hhhmmm,. Travel reimbursements, that are more than double of what the real cost is? Lunch expenses, etcc.. Treat congress and elected officials as a job, once you stop, then benefits stop. What i would like to see, is one person that works for our state, do an expierment, Go to a community, find a place to live, get a job. Make a go of it in that community, record everything. A couple of rules need to apply, they have to have a 15 yr old car, 2 children,under the age of 10, and a spouse, that is ill. They do not get to have first and last deposits, they do have to go down to the local DHHS and ask for help, they do need to ask for childcare help, or whatever programs are available for that community. Only after at least one year, then can the expierment get accurate results. (summer-winter expenses).
But for years high-level politicians would do the “food-stamp experiment,” and, although they said it was difficult purchasing food for a month and preparing meals with ‘only’ food stamps, they managed…
and lets not forget- they need to have an encounter with the state officials, threatning to take away children.
That’s not a valid reason to JUMP to taking a child away and severly traumatizing them, then hand them over to pediphials. See CPS is used to retialte against parents. How do you know that the child doesn’t have something else where a fever could be life threatening. People like this and thier false judgements are like the black kiss of death for children and families. That does not mean nor equal child abuse.
In addition to that, maybe they are following the advice of a nurse, or the ER telling them to bring the child in, and if parents don’t they can get in trouble for that as well.
Using CPS like that should be a crime. Threatening harm to a child.
Mainecare needs a complete overhaul. If it was better managed than money would’t be an issue.
I don’t have Mainecare so I have never been to the emergency room because I know that it’s at least a $200.00 deductible from my insurance, but stick a mainecare card in someones hand and tell them they can go for free, so they go every time they get a papercut… it’s ridiculous. If it’s not a life-threatening emergency, they need to pay to be seen, or told to follow up with their PCP the following business day. A five year old with a fever of 100.0 at 2AM doesn’t warrant a trip to the ER.
Just my two sense for what it’s worth
First — Maine needs Urgent Care facilities. They are one that I am aware of in the entire State.
A sudden-onset fever at 2 AM when a child has never been ill, and when the parent has not been able to find a provider who will accept MaineCare is a viable, reasonable option under those circumstances.
Providing health care for all is not the complicated issue that all political parties make it out to be. But blaming people for wanting it is unhelpful, don’t you think?
I agree 100%
I am on Mainecare, I am totally disabled due to heart attacks, heart surgery, and a stroke . The state wants to take away Mainecare from me and others like me . Well I wish that I could be there when they tell my family why I had to die because the state could not afford the care and drugs I needed to survive .If the state is so hard up for money to improve the economical state then why don’t they start cutting all the spending of millions of dollars for their travel and all of their gala affairs . Making cuts to Mainecare is not the answer the answer lays within the Statehouse and their wasting money on things that they think is important…Well isn’t 1 life more important than spending 500.00 a plate at some usless affair
Why not cut benifits from those that get SSDI that have Medicare but also then have Mainecare to pay for the deductable’s and premiums
How about we have politicians punch a time card and pay them $9.00 an hr.
I guess we should just pile all the dead bodies resulting from this on the front steps of the State House.
No one has ever been able to give a good explaination to me as to why some think it morally okay that I am robbed by my own government of money that would go to the support of my own kids/grandkids to support those that can’t or won’t support themselves. How is it I’m responsible for people I have never even met? I have worked for 30 years often times 60-80 hours a week to make life better for MY family and the more I work the more the government extorts from me. Now that my kids are grown and out of the house, they to are robbed by the government as they work to secure the future of their own kids. How is stealing from those among us that are productive and giving freely to those of us that are not morally alright? I like the old fashoned saying of “if you don’t work you shouldn’t eat”.
I agree with alot of what you say. But don’t let them divide us. This economy is down, people are suffering. We need jobs. We also need compassion to rule. Help your fellow neigbor, stay strong, and stay united.
Go watch this video and see the truth about Maine DHHS double billing the Federal Government.
If they are doing this, what else are they doing and making us pay for it?
This video has been sent to the FBI. Go to postal front on FB.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5MSSJIQReU
May these hard times have a swift passing. May people’s compassion and love for each other Rule. May the Gov. get jobs in Maine fast. May we help our neighbors! May the state become transparent, may the state stop the corruption. May everyone live well, safe, and in piece.
The day that we don’t have to import migrant workers to this state to do the work the citizens of Maine USED to do, then I will believe that there are no jobs to be had here. I used to do a lot of them myself back in the day.
A sane head in crowd!
GOVERNOR LEPAGE GAVE RAISES TO CORRUPT CPS WORKERS YESTERDAY BY MAKING THESE CUTS!
NEXT THEY WILL BE TAKING YOUR CHILD BECASUE YOU ARE POOR AND SICK AND CAN’T FIND A JOB. IT GIVES THEM FEDERAL FUNDS. SEE MY POSTS BELOW.
http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/LePage-adminstration-approves-raises-for-DHHS-caseworkers.html
Everyone here is a Constituant, and you have the right to be herd by your gov. senators, and state reps. Maine.gov has contact information.
Gov. LePage 207-287-3531
You have the right to call with a respectful nice message that you agree or do not agree with this. Call your senators and state reps also….
Be respectful, but you have the right and this paper should be proud to post this and not censor it.
Also if you have dealt with corrupt cps workers contact the FBI Todd Radcliffe 210-225-6741.
Foster Children you have the right to call to. If you know aged out foster children or others give them the number.
If you know about DHHS corruption go to Postol Front on FB, videos have also been sent to the FBI.
I am one of those folks you seem to be talking about. How dare you call me a slacker! Speaking for myself, I live on Social Security Disability Income.
How much I drive is limited by how much gas costs and how much money I have each month. I budget all the way down to buying off brand “Kleenex” (can’t afford the real thing and not every month) and how high (or low) the heat will be in my subsidized apartment. If I ever have to leave here, I will be homeless. Rents in my area for one bedroom apartments are about 2/3 to 3/4 of my income. My shoes come with the prescribed custom molded inserts I need to walk correctly; it takes both the inserts and appropriate shoes.
I buy my underwear and socks, otherwise ALL my clothes I get from a free clothing bank. Going back to school would seem to be a great possibility but there is a false security there these days. Borrow all that money and then, no matter what field you went into (and with my disabilities there would be limits) the hiring opportunities are not great, not even good these days. So, thanks for all your suggestions on how I should live my life. Too late. I’ve been budgeting for years. TracFone is all I can afford and only for emergencies, not for fun talk with friends. itunes? I still listen to a Walkman. Remember those? Don’t tell me or others who I am and what I do or do not. You are mistaken about who, what and why.
I wonder if the Emergency rooms are full and some rich folks have to bring their child in and have to wait because others have no insurance if it will change their way of thinking?
Here is where the money from these cuts are going!
To corrupt cps workers, maine gets and F for corruption.
This was posted two days ago in the morning sentinel in regards to those raises!
I don’t know where their spokesman got his numbers from, but when I do some simple math I get a different figure. The difference is only $1.49 per hour, which is $464.88 per hour when multiplied by the 312 workers, and if you multiply that by (say the worker works 40 hours per week for 50 weeks a year =2000 hours) 2000 hours you get a figure of $929,760 which is a great deal higher than the $400,000 Martins says it might cost. When a large portion of the “common” people in this state are working minimum wage jobs with no benefits that is ridiculous. Maybe they should do a better evaluation of the employees before hiring them to see if they are stable enough to handle the job. I know that I could put up with a lot of crap for $16.88 an hour (more than double what most jobs in the state are paying right now).
Block the CPS Rasises Petition!! Please sign the petition below and pass it on.
Go to Legally Kidnapped on FB or website and sign.
governor-paul-lepage-and-maine-s-department-of-health-and-human-services-block-raises-for-maine-s-dhhs-child-protective-caseworkers