Maine Gov. Mills, Jackson & Gideon Announce Bill to Improve Health Insurance for Maine People and Small Businesses
Governor
The bill takes a targeted approach to improving private health insurance without the need for any appropriation of state dollars. The legislation was introduced by House Speaker
"Over the past year, more than 57,000
"Access to health care is about freedom. It's something I've said over and over again because it's true, and I know what that means for working people. It means the difference between going to the doctor when you're sick and putting your health - potentially your life - at risk," said
"Not a single Mainer should be rationing their medication or avoiding a trip to the doctor because they aren't sure what it will end up costing - every single one of us deserves access to quality, affordable health care. With ongoing uncertainty at the federal level, it's critical that we craft lasting state policies that ensure stability and predictability for consumers here in
"Health insurance too often remains unaffordable and confusing, with premiums, out-of-pocket costs and deductibles still out of reach for many. This bill keeps the momentum going to drive down
"LD 2007 will apply the same successful reinsurance model to the small group market that has been used to stabilize
The bill uses a three-pronged approach to improve private health insurance in two markets: the individual market, which serves people who buy their own insurance instead of getting coverage through work or publicly funded programs, and the small group market, which serves small businesses.
This proposal would help by:
Providing consumers in the individual and small group markets with relief from high out-of-pocket costs and making it easier to compare plans: This bill requires health plans to cover the first primary care visit and behavioral health visit each year for free - with no deductible and no out-of-pocket costs, making some of the most common health care visits less costly. Additionally, under the bill, the second and third primary care and behavioral health visits could have a co-pay but the deductibles would not apply. With high deductibles and confusing and hidden costs too often causing Mainers to forgo health care and coverage, this bill makes it easier for consumers to understand their options by having health plans offer the same deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket limits for a set of commonly-used services. By standardizing upfront costs into "clear choice designs", the bill makes it easier for
These two elements (a merged market and changes to reinsurance) would require approval from the Federal government through a State Innovation Waiver (also known as a 1332 Waiver).
Following up on her commitment to pursue a State-based Marketplace, this third approach will move
This new legislative action by
It also builds on their work last year to enact the peoples' will and expand Medicaid, which has enabled more than 57,000
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