A Maine-based health insurance cooperative is suing the federal government over a decision to stop some reimbursements under the Affordable Care Act. Community Health Options, based in Lewiston, filed the lawsuit in federal court, seeking nearly $5.7 million in reimbursements that were supposed to be issued during the last three months of 2017. The nonprofit […]
ACA
Posted inMaine
Susan Collins says votes promised on bills to stabilize ACA won’t happen until 2018
Sen. Susan Collins announced Wednesday that crucial Affordable Care Act stabilization bills will be delayed until 2018 despite the promises she received from Republican leaders that they would be approved by the end of this year. Collins had emphasized passage of the two bills to secure her vote for the tax reform bill. “I think the policy […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins defends controversial tax bill
For U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul is a mixed bag. The Maine Republican, who voted for the Senate version last week, said late Monday the bill “is by no means perfect and it’s not the bill I would have drafted.” But, she said, it offers hope for tax relief that’s worth […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Tax bill's fate may depend on Maine's Susan Collins
Once again, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins may decide the fate of a major proposal touted by President Donald Trump — a tax overhaul. The Maine Republican’s vote is crucial to winning passage in the Senate of a tax bill that would slice the corporate rate and cut most household taxes during the next decade. The […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Angus King urges Mainers to consider health insurance
LEWISTON — With just five weeks left in a shortened open enrollment period, U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, on Monday urged Mainers to seriously consider their health insurance options, including insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. “Health care saves lives, but health insurance also saves lives,” King told about two dozen people at Central […]
Posted inMaine
Many low-income Mainers can get free health care plans
More than 40,000 Mainers who begin signing up Wednesday for Affordable Care Act insurance may do a double take when selecting a plan on the individual marketplace. Many of those plans will offer free monthly premiums. Health experts say that’s an unintended consequence of the Trump administration’s decision this year to end payments to insurance […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Medicaid expansion vote seen as ‘Obamacare’ referendum
PORTLAND (AP) — The roiling national debate over the government’s proper role in health care is coming to a head in a state more commonly known for moose, lobster and L.L. Bean. On Nov. 7, voters in Maine will decide whether to join 31 other states and expand Medicaid under former President Barack Obama’s Affordable […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Move to stop ACA subsidies will push premiums higher in Maine
Thousands of Mainers will see their individual health insurance premiums rise even higher in 2018 as a result of President Trump’s decision to eliminate federal reimbursement of a key Affordable Care Act subsidy. However, Maine’s two remaining ACA insurance providers, Community Health Options and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, said the White House’s move to eliminate […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine premiums expected to rise after ACA subsidies end
President Trump’s decision to eliminate federal reimbursement of a key subsidy to Affordable Care Act insurers will further boost average premium increases in 2018 for individual ACA policyholders in Maine. However, Maine’s two remaining ACA insurers, Community Health Options and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, said the move would not prompt them to drop out […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Donald Trump’s executive order could alter Maine insurance market
President Trump’s latest executive order could make health insurance more costly for older, sicker Mainers by enticing younger, healthier individuals to purchase cheaper and less-regulated plans. Still, it could be some time before the rule-making needed to enforce the proposed changes goes into effect. “As of the signing of the executive order, absolutely nothing changes,” […]