Augusta – The Speaker of the Maine House Mark Eves, D- North Berwick made the following remarks on a comprehensive measure that would make a final payment on Maine’s hospital debt and reduce future hospital costs by accepting federal health care dollars to cover tens of thousands of Mainers. The House is debating the measure...

AUGUSTA — The Maine House on Tuesday, by a vote of 87-57, passed a comprehensive measure to make the final payment on the state’s hospital debt, keep hospital costs under control and extend coverage to tens of thousands of Mainers by accepting federal health care dollars.   “We pay back our hospitals and ensure that...

AUGUSTA — Mainers on Thursday urged Gov. Paul LePage and the Legislature to accept federal health care dollars under a comprehensive health care bill proposed by Democrats, saying their lives depend on gaining access to critical care. U.S. Navy veteran Tom Ptacek will lose his health care coverage in January if the state does not...

Augusta — On Thursday, the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee passed a comprehensive measure that would make a final payment on Maine’s hospital debt and reduce future hospital costs by accepting federal health care dollars to cover tens of thousands of Mainers. The hospital payment would be made through refinancing the state’s liquor contract.  ...

AUGUSTA —  The Legislature on Wednesday took the first step toward crafting a comprehensive bill to make the final payment on Maine’s hospital debt and to have the state accept federal health care dollars to expand coverage to thousands of residents. “As the Legislature makes the final payment to Maine’s hospitals, we must also address...

AUGUSTA – A legislative panel gave unanimous support on Thursday to a “Ticket to Work” bill that would reform Maine’s program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Speaker Eves of North Berwick, who brought the reform proposal forward, praised lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee for supporting his bill. “I’m grateful...

Augusta — Legislative leaders on Thursday voted unanimously to provide funding from the Legislature’s operating budget to help victims of the Lewiston fire during an emergency meeting of the Legislature’s governing body. The vote came after Governor Paul LePage refused to release funds from his contingency account. Maine statute Title V, subsection 1507 allows the...

AUGUSTA — Democratic legislative leaders today said hospital hiring freezes at Maine Medical Center might be prevented if the Governor Lepage accepted federal health care dollars to cover nearly 70,000. According to a report in the Bangor Daily News, Maine Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital, has declared a hiring and travel freeze, among other...

Augusta – Top Democrats on Monday called on Governor Paul LePage to stop making excuses for denying health care to thousands of Maine people. Speaker of the House Mark Eves and Senate President Justin Alfond said LePage is making a bad deal for the people of Maine by refusing to accept federal health care dollars...

MYTH: Gov. LePage says Medicaid Expansion is welfare FACT:  Medicaid is health care for low-income individuals, many of whom are working but cannot afford health insurance coverage or don’t have the option from their employer.  Seventy percent of Mediciaid  enrollees are either children, seniors or individuals with disabilities.  MaineCare payments go to hospitals and health...

AUGUSTA – A measure that would reform Maine’s program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) earned strong public support Friday morning during a public hearing on the bill.  Supporters of the measure included the LePage Administration — an indication that the bill would likely garner bipartisan support. During the hearing, Speaker of the Maine House...