URGENT LEGISLATIVE ISSUE: MAINECARE EMERGENCY FUNDING
Thank you to everyone who called their Maine legislator about MaineCare funding in the past month, we are seeing progress on this issue. A new supplemental budget bill passed in the House, but was voted down in the Senate. Your continued advocacy is crucial in ensuring that MaineCare providers can continue to serve their patients without interruption.
We urge you to contact your state Representative and Senator again to request their support for the new budget legislation to address MaineCare’s budget shortfall. If you are unsure of who your Representative or Senator is, please visit the information Lookup Tool to find your legislators using your address: https://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_lookup.php
As previously communicated, MaineCare has informed providers that without emergency funding, certain payments to providers will be withheld. This could result in significant financial strain for hospitals and independent providers, as well as potential disruptions in care for MaineCare patients.
While the bill received support from all Democrats and two Republicans, it did not achieve the necessary two-thirds majority to pass. Some legislators have chosen to vote against this bill because of concerns about eligibility criteria for MaineCare. It is the position of the Maine APTA that discussions about MaineCare eligibility should be addressed through separate legislation. In the meantime, the urgent priority is to secure emergency funding to maintain access to MaineCare recipients.
The emergency MaineCare funding bill will be introduced next week, and action must be taken by April 1. We ask that all physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students reach out to their legislators.