It’s time to put Maine’s universal health care plan into action
Previous action from the Maine legislature:
In 2021, the Maine legislature showed its support for a universal health care system in Maine by enacting Public Law 2021, chapter 391. This act sets up the Maine Health Care Board, charged with developing a plan that would “provide for all medically necessary health care services for all residents of the State.”
However: The law contains a “trigger”. It made appointment of the Board contingent on passage of a federal law “authorizing a state to obtain a waiver to establish a state-based universal health care plan and to receive federal financing for that plan.” Unfortunately no such federal action has been taken since this law was enacted.
NOW is the time.
In the 5 years since PL391 was enacted, the problems with our health care system have reached crisis levels despite multiple incremental efforts to address them. Health insurance has become unaffordable. A number of essential medical services have closed in 2025-2026. Many Mainers do not have access to primary care. Many rural Mainers must travel over an hour to reach emergency or hospital services.
Remove the trigger. Allow the Maine Health Care Board to start its work.
Maine AllCare asks our legislators to pass a bill that would remove this contingency language from current law. It would allow the Board to be established, to identify feasible and concrete implementation steps to transition Maine to a universal health care system.
For more information about our proposal: email us at info@maineallcare.org
