Cover Maine Now
One goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to standardize Medicaid eligibility so that each state’s program would cover individuals with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). In June 2012, the US Supreme Court ruled that states could not be required to broaden Medicaid but each state could choose to expand coverage. In order to encourage states to broaden their Medicaid program, the ACA provides a “full match” which would cover 100% of the cost to expand Medicaid for 3 years (2014-2016) with a gradual reduction to 90% coverage by 2020 and beyond. Currently, Maine’s Medicare match is 62%. In Maine, expanding coverage would mean 69,500 people would now have access to health care. As of March 14, 25 states had decided to participate in expansion and 2 states are considered likely to follow suit. Originally, Governor LePage rejected the idea although has recently indicated he would consider expansion. The Maine State Legislature is now considering a bill to accept the ACA full match program. A potential veto from the Governor can be overridden if the legislation is approved by 2/3 of the House and Senate. GoodwillNNE, along with over 80 other organizations, is a member of a coalition called Cover Maine Now which has led the movement for the bill to be approved. More details about this complex issue are available in this Muskie School Policy brief.
More PILOTs
A recent edition of the Public Policy Update provided a brief description of PILOTs – Payments In Lieu of Taxes. The Maine State Legislature is now considering 2 bills that would levy PILOTs on nonprofits around the state. GoodwillNNE submitted testimony opposing the bills because we are concerned they will limit our ability to fulfill our mission.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
On March 15, the US House passed the SKILLS Act to reauthorize WIA which consolidates 35 programs into a single fund. GoodwillNNE is concerned this will reduce access to training for people we serve. The Senate has not drafted its version of WIA and GoodwillNNE plans to speak with Senators from ME, NH & VT about the need for an inclusive workforce system.
For more information or any questions about GoodwillNNE’s public policy and advocacy efforts, please contact Rich Cantz or Anne Nadzo.