Posted inMaine, sj-web

Maine GOP accuses House speaker of having conflict of interest

AUGUSTA — A group of Republican lawmakers is pressuring House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, to recuse himself and his staff from advocating for Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act because of Eves’ job with a mental health care provider that accepts Medicaid patients and holds Medicaid-funded contracts. A group of Republicans, led […]

advertisement
Posted inMaine, sj-web

Maine House speaker offers ‘compromise’ Medicaid expansion bill

AUGUSTA — The House’s top Democrat on Wednesday morning presented what he called a “compromise” bill to expand Medicaid in the state to roughly 70,000 of the poorest Mainers. It’s the first glimpse at what Democrats, who hold a majority in the Legislature, hope will be a bill that can gain enough Republican support to […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Democrats will consider EBT limits but oppose other welfare bills

AUGUSTA — Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves said Wednesday that he’s open to a proposal by Republican Gov. Paul LePage to limit what products can be bought with cash welfare benefits, but said his party would fight two other welfare reform bills the governor will introduce in January. “No one wants to see assistance for […]

Posted inOp-Eds

Mark Eves: Reforming anti-poverty program starts with training

Dee Clarke from Portland is a single mother with three children and serious health issues. She wants to work, but for years her health was a barrier to holding down a good job. Like so many struggling families, Clarke needed to turn to the state for help. Clarke was fortunate to get connected with the […]

Posted inOp-Eds

Mark Eves: Fight for affordable health care is not over

It is difficult to imagine being a veteran in this country and not being able to afford health care. For Tom Ptacek, a U.S. Navy veteran who now works and lives in Portland, it will become a reality this winter. Unfortunately, 2,700 veterans like Tom, and tens of thousands of other Mainers, will have to […]