Dirigo lives on (insurance, house, buy)

[MainelyJersey]

The legislators pushed through a bill late last night, signed today by the Governor.
It raises taxes on soda, wine, beer and flavored water.

Monies used to continue funding Dirigo. So much for "no new taxes".
And any thoughts of affordable healthcare in Maine.

[dmyankee]

Yah, Drop guaranteed issue and bring back community rating, and get rid of Dirigo entirely.

The State dropped the ball with this 15 years ago. Let the companies flock back in here and let the free market set the rates!

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by dmyankee

Yah, Drop guaranteed issue and bring back community rating, and get rid of Dirigo entirely.

The State dropped the ball with this 15 years ago. Let the companies flock back in here and let the free market set the rates!

Yes, this plus an assigned risk pool for those people who have chronic health problems. Let this "assigned risk" pool be funded in part by the State of Maine, but above all, make those who are relatively low risk buy coverage from a choice of carriers.

[shadowfax1997]

Originally Posted by MainelyJersey

The legislators pushed through a bill late last night, signed today by the Governor.
It raises taxes on soda, wine, beer and flavored water.

Monies used to continue funding Dirigo. So much for "no new taxes".
And any thoughts of affordable healthcare in Maine.

When i saw this story this am I became incredibly angry. I hope the people of Maine think long and hard when the fall elections roll around. We have had decades of democrat control, and has only accomplished Maine as being one of the highest taxed states in the country.

I have never been particularly political, but have changed party affiliation to republican and am getting involved. It is time to vote these people out! Either that, or we become even more the nanny state that tells us everything we can/can't do, from what careers we have to where we can eat, sleep and sh*t. So much for the pursuit of happiness and freedom.

Vote Republican!

[zedzul]

Unfortunately it seams that the republicans have been just as bad lately handling our taxes and liberty's. I'm a republican ATM but am strongly considering a change to Libertarian.

And we the people keep failing to pass any type of budget legislation and keep passing bonds like there is no tomorrow. It is really horrible that most people don't seam to know what a bond is and that we will have to pay it back somehow. Alright I'm getting off topic so ill shut up now

[GregW]

Shadowfax - You could move to New Hampshire.

[dmyankee]

From Maine Republican Party :: News Item - House GOP Leaders Blast Dirigo Bailout Bill

House GOP Leaders Blast Dirigo Bailout Bill

Say Taxpayers Should Not Have to Prop Up Failing Program

[shadowfax1997]

Originally Posted by GregW

Shadowfax - You could move to New Hampshire.

we were actually ready to move to south carolina - i even had a job lined up, but decided to stay in maine to assist elderly parents. WHile I dispise much about the state, family comes first. For now we stay put.

[krisk590]

I work in the health field and have found out that the state of Maine has not paid any medical bills for months....and months....I think it has been a year or more and I am talking about Me Care. Maine Care needs to change. I want people to get help when the need it but the free ride has to stop. An alternative for people who need Me Care are many from those who don't work at all to hard working blue collar people who can't afford the insurance from work and in my field I have seen alot of this. I would like to see co-pays for doctor visits,ER etc. Case in point a man came into work because he had a mosiquito bite! I was so appalled,wanted to say cold water and benedryl,DONT' PICK IT!!!. Come on people a little common sense!!! or a visit to the ER because the office hours are not convenient. I see this all the time,if its free it will be abused. MaineCare pays for viagra but give the women a hard time about paying for birth control. I believe Me Care pays for 4 viagra a month and I was onced asked to do a PA (form fill out) so a man could get 5 a month. That PA was not done....I think he needs to use his Viagra wiselY.

[txmom]

Originally Posted by krisk590

I work in the health field and have found out that the state of Maine has not paid any medical bills for months....and months....I think it has been a year or more and I am talking about Me Care. Maine Care needs to change. I want people to get help when the need it but the free ride has to stop. An alternative for people who need Me Care are many from those who don't work at all to hard working blue collar people who can't afford the insurance from work and in my field I have seen alot of this. I would like to see co-pays for doctor visits,ER etc.

I think co-pays are an excellent idea. Also, more urgent care centers are needed, so people who need to be seen that same day (eg for strep throat, UTI's, etc) have the option to go somewhere other than the emergency room. I also think that a person's complete, cumulative medical record and medication history should be available to all healthcare providers - sort of like a universal health database, accessed only with permission of the patient (Not universal health care!!!) This would allow more effective treatment by providers, and prevent expensive duplication of testing.