Category: Maine News

BANGOR COUNCIL PASSES HEALTHCARE RESOLUTION: Becomes First Municipality in Maine since 2001 to Support Equitable Healthcare Bangor, Maine The Bangor City Council has approved unanimously a resolution urging  the Maine Legislature to create an equitable healthcare system for the state and all its residents. The passing of the resolution, initially presented by members of the Bangor chapter of Maine AllCare, makes Bangor the first municipality in Maine...

Note: this news article was originally published in the Machias Valley News Observer on January 6, 2020, and is reprinted here in full, with permission from the publisher. by Ruth Leubecker An all-encompassing healthcare proposal could save Maine $1.5 billion in healthcare spending, according to a new analysis released by Maine AllCare. “When every Mainer is covered, and there is never a bill to patients. When doctors...

January 2020 News Historic sea change in physician support for universal health care In a report published on January 21, 2020, in the Annals of Internal Medicine, The American College of Physicians endorsed structural health care reform to achieve universal healthcare via two potential paths–a single-payer system or a publicly funded option offered alongside regulated private insurance. The report, “Envisioning a Better US Health Care System for...

Not only would a universal healthcare system provide coverage for all Mainers, it would save the state roughly $1.5 billion dollars per year, according to a recently released analysis by the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP). The analysis, conducted on behalf of MaineAllCare, was the subject of a Dec. 16 hearing before the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services. MaineAllCare, a...

New Report: Universal health care in Maine could reduce costs and cover everyone DECEMBER 16, 2019 AUGUSTA, Maine — A universal, publicly funded health care system that covers every Maine resident could save Maine $1.5 billion in total health care spending, according to a new analysis released today by Maine AllCare. The analysis, conducted by Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) on behalf of Maine AllCare, was...

Maine AllCare November News & Updates Universal health care: is it possible in Maine? On October 31, Maine Public’s Speaking in Maine featured a discussion and debate about health care options for Maine, with Dr. Phil Caper of Maine AllCare and Matt Gagnon of the Maine Heritage Policy Center. The debate ranged from universal health care to free-market options. The conversation was originally produced by WERU radio...

Making the Case: An International Perspective On The Paradoxes Of US Health Care In research supported by The Commonwealth Fund and reported on the Health Affairs blog, ten Harkness Fellows in health care policy and practice reflect on the U.S. health care system. “The United States undeniably provides some of the best health care and is one of the most innovative nations in the world. Financial investments...

Making the Case: “Congress passes socialized medicine and mandates health insurance–in 1798” In a piece going back to 2011, business and healthcare reporter Rick Ungar explored “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen” passed by the 5th Congress of the United States in 1798, and signed by President John Adams. “The law was not only the first time the United States created a socialized...

News – July 2019 Making the Case: Industry pushes back, with “FUD” As comprehensive healthcare reform becomes more of a focus on the national political stage, it’s not surprising that those with a financial stake in keeping the status quo will also come out in force. And they are. The Partnership for America’s Health Care Future sounds pretty good, right? A coalition of healthcare and insurance industry...

Making the Case: The Need for Comprehensive Health Care Reform In a May 31 opinion piece in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Drs. Steffie Woolhandler and David Himmelstein, leaders of Physicians for a National Health Program, outline the need for–and benefits of–comprehensive, carefully designed health care reform. “Halfway measures are politically attractive but economically unworkable. The $11,559 per capita that the United States spends on...