Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Maine Democrats Look To Revive Healthcare Program
Maine Governor John Baldacci is considering his options to revive the DirigoChoice healthcare program to provide coverage for uninsured residents. The program is in financial despair after unexpectedly high costs.
To ward off costs, Governor Baldacci is considering two separate kinds of tax increases to provide more funding for DirigoChoice.
The first would increase cigarette taxes by 50 cents statewide and a tax increase on other tobacco products. The other would up taxes for medical claims paid by private health insurance companies, reported the Bangor Daily News.
Democratic lawmakers are backing the idea of increasing funding for the health care program.
Critics of the DirigoChoice argue the program was flawed from the start and should be dismantled. State Senate Minority Leader Carol Weston pointed out DirigoChoice had five years to prove itself, but didn’t succeed.
Senator Weston also was opposed to raising taxes with a sluggish economy and state budget shortfalls.
“This is a bad time for any legislator to be talking about raising taxes,” said Senator Weston.
But advocates of the program still want to try to revive the health care program for low-income residents — and most Democratic lawmakers in Maine are in support.
“This is a fight worth having, for a program that is making a difference in people’s lives,” said Governor Baldacci.
Technorati Tags: DirigoChoice Maine health insurance
