FRYEBURG — The sixth day of the 168th Fryeburg Fair on Friday featured something that was missing the first five days: sunshine. With no rain and no clouds in sight, the fair was particularly busy Friday morning, with thousands of people on the grounds by 10 a.m. For some families, the game booths were more […]
rides
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Controversial MaineCare rides program survives after veto override fails
AUGUSTA— Democrats in the Senate were unsuccessful Tuesday in attempting to overturn a veto by Gov. Paul LePage, who had nixed a resolve to cancel the contracts of companies that have overseen the troubled administration of the state’s MaineCare rides program. In a party-line vote, the Senate voted 20-15 to override the veto, short of […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
House backs bill to block MaineCare rides renewal
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Democratic-controlled House has approved a bill to prevent the state from renewing its contracts in a troubled MaineCare rides program that’s caused some patients to miss appointments. The House voted 86-56 Tuesday in favor of the measure introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Troy Jackson. The Senate endorsed it with a 24-14 […]
Posted inMaine
Bill meant to fix MaineCare rides program passes
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday approved a bill that would revamp the state’s non-emergency medical ride program for those on MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid system. The $40 million program has been fraught with problems since a trio of companies, at the behest of the federal government, were put in […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers to discuss MaineCare rides bills
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are beginning to consider measures to overhaul the state’s MaineCare transportation rides system. The Department of Health and Human Services is taking public testimony on two measures Thursday introduced in light of problems in the current program that provides rides to appointments for MaineCare patients. Maine’s Office of MaineCare Services […]
Posted inMaine
State lawmakers push for consequences if MaineCare ride program is not fixed
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers Wednesday said they want a “Plan B” for a $40 million non-emergency ride program that’s foundered since it was transferred to the hands of third-party brokers in August. “I know in my community there are still very, very significant problems,” state Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, said Wednesday. Rotundo is House chairwoman […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers continue scrutiny of MaineCare ride program
AUGUSTA — The executives in charge of a new brokerage system for delivering non-emergency rides, under a program offered through MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid system, say they have largely corrected many of the problems that led to confusion, frustration and missed medical appointments earlier this fall. But advocates for those who receive the rides and […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Oxford Hills, River Valley
State to Lewiston company: Answer calls, show up or else
After missing more than 4,000 rides and having as many as half of callers hang up over long wait times, the state has put a Lewiston company that arranges rides for MaineCare patients on notice. It has until Monday to spell out what’s wrong and why, and was given two months to turn its performance […]
Posted inOur View
Ride system: State’s contract leaves few options
Legislators had a dramatic demonstration Wednesday of the state’s new transportation system for MaineCare clients. Rep. Matt Peterson, D-Rumford, picked up his cell phone during a legislative committee hearing and dialed the number provided to some MaineCare recipients. As Peterson held his cell phone to the microphone, the number rang once and a recorded voice […]