Action Alerts regarding repealing/replacing the Affordable Care Act & Medicaid Reform - Funding for Services at the Federal Level
ACTION ALERT: Funding for services at the federal level (letter writing/email campaign)
On Thursday, June 22nd, the US Senate released the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), its bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate bill is very similar to the House’s American Health Care Act (AHCA), in its proposed reforms and reductions to Medicaid/MaineCare (see previous action alerts for more information - scroll down). The Senate is poised to vote as early as next week on this bill.
The proposed healthcare bill includes reforms to Medicaid (MaineCare) that will very likely limit services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine. Changes include converting Medicaid funding to a per capita cap arrangement. The targeted Medicaid cuts and this per capita cap arrangement would very likely result in significant cuts to services funding for people with disabilities, seniors, and others who would be competing for the same pool of very limited funds. This is very dangerous, because in Maine (and other small and relatively poor states) we don’t have the resources to fully pay for MaineCare; the federal government pays close to $2 for every $3 dollars spent on services. Maine doesn’t have any other funding mechanism to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or other disabilities. If the BCRA or anything similar were to pass, we can expect a drastic reduction in the amount of funding in MaineCare. This would be felt quite dramatically in services provided by Section 21, Section 29, and other sections of MaineCare.
Here’s why: Medicaid reimbursements play a significant role in Maine’s budget (and you can see from the current impasse, it is not easy to make our budget work).
If Medicaid were cut, Maine can expect to be in an immediate funding crisis for everything in its budget.
Senator Collins sits in a key position in regards to whether this legislation passes in the Senate. Although she has expressed concerns with the bill, we need her to vote against this bill entirely, because elderly, disabled, and vulnerable populations in Maine cannot handle any cuts to Medicaid/MaineCare.
Now is the time to contact Senator Collins and ask her to:
Click here for a draft letter to Senator Collins. Use it as a guide. The letter includes space for people to tell their stories, and explain how imperative MaineCare services are to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine. Sending a letter to the Senator is easy – simply add in your information to replace red and italicized sections of the draft letter, and email it to:
You can also call Senator Collins’ office and deliver this same message. Senator Collins’ D.C. office: (202) 224-2521. But please do email a letter whether you call or not. Your story is important and those details will not be captured in a phone call.
Please take a few minutes now to tell your story and appeal to Senator Collins. I can’t think of something that would more dramatically affect support services advocated for by this Coalition, than this vote. Please send something personal. Let Senator Collins know how important it is to have services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. These personal stories will help inform the Senator, so that she can make a good decision for people in Maine.
Thank you for your collective advocacy.
UPDATED CONTINUED ACTION ALERT: Funding for services at the federal level (letter writing/email campaign)
On May 4th, by a vote of 217-213 along party lines, the House passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate is now working on its version.
As discussed at the 3/13 meeting of the Coalition (click here for the March minutes), the proposed healthcare bill includes reforms to Medicaid (MaineCare) that will very likely affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine, including converting Medicaid funding to a per capita cap arrangement, with an additional option for states to administer Medicaid under a block grant arrangement. Other proposed changes include cuts to Special Education, changes for people with pre-existing conditions, and additional language regarding high-risk pools. These cuts are dramatic, estimated to be $839 billion over the next ten years, and clearly cuts of those magnitude will markedly reduce funds for services under Section 21, Section 29, and other sections of MaineCare.
Under the current MaineCare program, people with disabilities are eligible for and receive an array of services. Under a per capita cap or block granting of MaineCare, Maine will get far less federal funding and there will be fewer protections for people with disabilities.
Now is the time to contact Senator Collins and Senator King and ask them to:
Below are links to draft letters to Senator Collins and Senator King. The letters include space for people to tell their stories, and explain how imperative MaineCare services are to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine. Sending a letter to the Senators is easy – simply add in your information to replace red and italicized sections of the draft letters (click here for the draft letter to Senator Collins, click here for the draft letter to Senator King), and email them to:
Additionally, our action alert and a meeting with some concerned parents in early May helped educate Senator King about the need to protect MaineCare. He did exactly that on May 17th; Senator King took to the floor of the Senate to share the stories of two Maine people with disabilities who would be affected should the American Health Care Act (AHCA) pass. If you haven’t already, please take a few moments to watch Senator King’s compelling speech here. If you reached out to him – thank you! If you have not yet done so, please thank him for his tremendous leadership on this issue.
By telling your story and the importance of MaineCare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine, you can help our members of Congress understand why funding for services are vital. Thank you for your collective advocacy!
ACTION ALERT 1: Forwarded Action Alert from Autism Society of Maine: Phone call campaign
The Autism Society of Maine and Autism Society national want to educate you on what the changes in MaineCare (Medicaid) will mean to you and your family. The purpose for this information is to help people with disabilities, their families, and advocates/allies understand the impact of the changes proposed in the AHCA and give them the tools to advocate. This site was developed by Center for Public Representation with facts and figures about individuals who have MaineCare in Maine.
Please go to the Center for Public Representation's website and review how the proposed changes will impact Maine residents. Here you will also see Maine Representatives contact information (this information is also included below for convenience).
On June 6 there is a rally in DC, if you can make great, if not DO YOUR PART - call your Representatives and Senator's from Maine. Tell them how you feel and what this will do for your child/adult.
Together we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Cathy E. Dionne
Executive Director
Autism Society of Maine
Information from the Center for Public Representation's website:
Maine stands to lose $5 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, CHIP, and financial assistance for marketplace coverage through the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA). Medicaid provides 97,113 people with disabilities in Maine with access to critical care that helps them live independently. AHCA cuts Medicaid funding by imposing a “per capita cap” on Medicaid, with the capped amounts growing every year. 41,078 Mainers with disabilities are at risk of losing coverage.
If you care about people with disabilities – if you or someone you love is supported by Medicaid, please take action NOW.
You matter, your story about Medicaid is critical, and your call makes a difference.
It is absolutely essential to make the case to your representatives Senator Collins, Senator King, and Governor LePage about the impact of the Medicaid per capita caps on community services and supports for individuals with disabilities.
Call the main Capitol line at: (202) 224-3121 (You’ll be directed to an operator at the Capitol switchboard who can direct you to both of your senators.)
Please, whether you’re a lifelong activist or haven’t voted in years – take five minutes today to help defend essential services for people with disabilities.
Your Representatives
Senator Susan M. Collins
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Contact Form
Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Contact Form
Governor Paul R. LePage
Office of the Governor
#1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001
(207)-287-3531
Contact Form
Request a Meeting
Key messages:
Learn More About Medicaid in Maine and the Potential Impact of the AHCA:
Reports on State Impact:
UPDATED CONTINUED ACTION ALERT 2: Letter writing / email campaign
Dear advocates, friends, and families of people with disabilities:
On May 4th, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the U.S. House of Representatives’ bill to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed the House by a vote of 217-213. The bill is now in the Senate for consideration. The Senate appears poised to begin discussion on the AHCA bill the week of June 5th, and may try to pass this legislation by the end of June, a far more expedited process than was originally anticipated (see the forwarded action alert from Autism Society of Maine below for additional information).
As discussed at the 3/13 meeting of the Coalition (click here for the March minutes), the proposed healthcare bill includes reforms to Medicaid (MaineCare) that will very likely affect you and/or your sons and daughters, including converting Medicaid funding to a per capita cap arrangement, with an additional option for states to administer Medicaid under a block grant arrangement. Other proposed changes include cuts to Special Education, changes for people with pre-existing conditions, and additional language regarding high-risk pools. These cuts are dramatic, estimated to be $839 billion over the next ten years, and clearly cuts of those magnitude will markedly reduce funds for services under Section 21, Section 29, and other sections of MaineCare.
Under the current MaineCare program, people with disabilities are eligible for and receive an array of services. Under a per capita cap or block granting of MaineCare, Maine will get far less federal funding and there will be fewer protections for people with disabilities. Maine stands to lose $5 Billion for people with disabilities over the next several years if this bill passes the Senate.
Now is the time for advocates, parents, and friends of people with disabilities to contact Senator Collins and Senator King and ask them to:
Attached are draft letters to Senator Collins and Senator King. The letters include space for individuals, parents, guardians, and family members to tell their stories, and explain how imperative MaineCare services are to them and/or their loved ones with disabilities. Sending a letter to the Senators is easy – simply add in your information to replace red and italicized sections of the draft letters (click here for the draft letter to Senator Collins, click here for the draft letter to Senator King), and email them to:
Additionally, our action alert and a meeting with some concerned parents in early May helped educate Senator King about the need to protect MaineCare. He did exactly that on May 17th; Senator King took to the floor of the Senate to share the stories of two Maine people with disabilities who would be affected should the American Health Care Act (AHCA) pass. Please take a few moments to watch Senator King’s compelling speech here. If you reached out to him – thank you! If you have not yet done so, please thank him for his tremendous leadership on this issue.
By telling your story and the importance of MaineCare for yourself, your family, loved one, or person you work to help, you can help our members of Congress understand why funding for services are vital. Thank you for taking action and raising your voice!
On Thursday, June 22nd, the US Senate released the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), its bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate bill is very similar to the House’s American Health Care Act (AHCA), in its proposed reforms and reductions to Medicaid/MaineCare (see previous action alerts for more information - scroll down). The Senate is poised to vote as early as next week on this bill.
The proposed healthcare bill includes reforms to Medicaid (MaineCare) that will very likely limit services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine. Changes include converting Medicaid funding to a per capita cap arrangement. The targeted Medicaid cuts and this per capita cap arrangement would very likely result in significant cuts to services funding for people with disabilities, seniors, and others who would be competing for the same pool of very limited funds. This is very dangerous, because in Maine (and other small and relatively poor states) we don’t have the resources to fully pay for MaineCare; the federal government pays close to $2 for every $3 dollars spent on services. Maine doesn’t have any other funding mechanism to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or other disabilities. If the BCRA or anything similar were to pass, we can expect a drastic reduction in the amount of funding in MaineCare. This would be felt quite dramatically in services provided by Section 21, Section 29, and other sections of MaineCare.
Here’s why: Medicaid reimbursements play a significant role in Maine’s budget (and you can see from the current impasse, it is not easy to make our budget work).
If Medicaid were cut, Maine can expect to be in an immediate funding crisis for everything in its budget.
Senator Collins sits in a key position in regards to whether this legislation passes in the Senate. Although she has expressed concerns with the bill, we need her to vote against this bill entirely, because elderly, disabled, and vulnerable populations in Maine cannot handle any cuts to Medicaid/MaineCare.
Now is the time to contact Senator Collins and ask her to:
- Please vote against the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA); and
- Please oppose any restructuring of Medicaid, such as block grants, per capita caps, or anything similar, because they would restrict MaineCare’s ability to give people, including people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, the care they need. Our growing waitlists demonstrate that we have insufficient resources already.
Click here for a draft letter to Senator Collins. Use it as a guide. The letter includes space for people to tell their stories, and explain how imperative MaineCare services are to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine. Sending a letter to the Senator is easy – simply add in your information to replace red and italicized sections of the draft letter, and email it to:
- Elizabeth Allen ([email protected]) Senator Collins’ Health and Medicaid/Medicare staffer.
You can also call Senator Collins’ office and deliver this same message. Senator Collins’ D.C. office: (202) 224-2521. But please do email a letter whether you call or not. Your story is important and those details will not be captured in a phone call.
Please take a few minutes now to tell your story and appeal to Senator Collins. I can’t think of something that would more dramatically affect support services advocated for by this Coalition, than this vote. Please send something personal. Let Senator Collins know how important it is to have services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. These personal stories will help inform the Senator, so that she can make a good decision for people in Maine.
Thank you for your collective advocacy.
UPDATED CONTINUED ACTION ALERT: Funding for services at the federal level (letter writing/email campaign)
On May 4th, by a vote of 217-213 along party lines, the House passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate is now working on its version.
As discussed at the 3/13 meeting of the Coalition (click here for the March minutes), the proposed healthcare bill includes reforms to Medicaid (MaineCare) that will very likely affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine, including converting Medicaid funding to a per capita cap arrangement, with an additional option for states to administer Medicaid under a block grant arrangement. Other proposed changes include cuts to Special Education, changes for people with pre-existing conditions, and additional language regarding high-risk pools. These cuts are dramatic, estimated to be $839 billion over the next ten years, and clearly cuts of those magnitude will markedly reduce funds for services under Section 21, Section 29, and other sections of MaineCare.
Under the current MaineCare program, people with disabilities are eligible for and receive an array of services. Under a per capita cap or block granting of MaineCare, Maine will get far less federal funding and there will be fewer protections for people with disabilities.
Now is the time to contact Senator Collins and Senator King and ask them to:
- Please vote against the American Health Care Act (AHCA); and
- Please oppose any restructuring of Medicaid, such as block grants, per capita caps, or anything similar, because they would restrict MaineCare’s ability to give people the care they need. Our growing waitlists demonstrate that we have insufficient resources already.
Below are links to draft letters to Senator Collins and Senator King. The letters include space for people to tell their stories, and explain how imperative MaineCare services are to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine. Sending a letter to the Senators is easy – simply add in your information to replace red and italicized sections of the draft letters (click here for the draft letter to Senator Collins, click here for the draft letter to Senator King), and email them to:
- Senator Collins’ staff: Elizabeth Allen ([email protected]) Senator Collins’ Health and Medicaid/Medicare staffer; and Elizabeth McDonnell ([email protected]) Senator Collins’ Legislative Director.
- Senator King’s staff: Marge Kilkelly ([email protected]) Senator King’s Health & Medicaid/Medicare staffer; and Chad Metzler ([email protected]) Senator King’s Legislative Director.
Additionally, our action alert and a meeting with some concerned parents in early May helped educate Senator King about the need to protect MaineCare. He did exactly that on May 17th; Senator King took to the floor of the Senate to share the stories of two Maine people with disabilities who would be affected should the American Health Care Act (AHCA) pass. If you haven’t already, please take a few moments to watch Senator King’s compelling speech here. If you reached out to him – thank you! If you have not yet done so, please thank him for his tremendous leadership on this issue.
By telling your story and the importance of MaineCare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maine, you can help our members of Congress understand why funding for services are vital. Thank you for your collective advocacy!
ACTION ALERT 1: Forwarded Action Alert from Autism Society of Maine: Phone call campaign
The Autism Society of Maine and Autism Society national want to educate you on what the changes in MaineCare (Medicaid) will mean to you and your family. The purpose for this information is to help people with disabilities, their families, and advocates/allies understand the impact of the changes proposed in the AHCA and give them the tools to advocate. This site was developed by Center for Public Representation with facts and figures about individuals who have MaineCare in Maine.
Please go to the Center for Public Representation's website and review how the proposed changes will impact Maine residents. Here you will also see Maine Representatives contact information (this information is also included below for convenience).
On June 6 there is a rally in DC, if you can make great, if not DO YOUR PART - call your Representatives and Senator's from Maine. Tell them how you feel and what this will do for your child/adult.
Together we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Cathy E. Dionne
Executive Director
Autism Society of Maine
Information from the Center for Public Representation's website:
Maine stands to lose $5 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, CHIP, and financial assistance for marketplace coverage through the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA). Medicaid provides 97,113 people with disabilities in Maine with access to critical care that helps them live independently. AHCA cuts Medicaid funding by imposing a “per capita cap” on Medicaid, with the capped amounts growing every year. 41,078 Mainers with disabilities are at risk of losing coverage.
If you care about people with disabilities – if you or someone you love is supported by Medicaid, please take action NOW.
You matter, your story about Medicaid is critical, and your call makes a difference.
It is absolutely essential to make the case to your representatives Senator Collins, Senator King, and Governor LePage about the impact of the Medicaid per capita caps on community services and supports for individuals with disabilities.
Call the main Capitol line at: (202) 224-3121 (You’ll be directed to an operator at the Capitol switchboard who can direct you to both of your senators.)
Please, whether you’re a lifelong activist or haven’t voted in years – take five minutes today to help defend essential services for people with disabilities.
Your Representatives
Senator Susan M. Collins
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Contact Form
Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Contact Form
Governor Paul R. LePage
Office of the Governor
#1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001
(207)-287-3531
Contact Form
Request a Meeting
Key messages:
- Do NOT support the American Health Care Act.
- Do NOT allow Medicaid to be gutted. Per Capita Caps would decimate the program on which people with disabilities and seniors rely for critical healthcare and community services.
- Do NOT allow states to opt out of requiring health plans to cover basic health care and keep it affordable for people with pre-existing conditions, including people with disabilities.
Learn More About Medicaid in Maine and the Potential Impact of the AHCA:
- Medicaid Works: How Cuts Would Harm Maine (Center of Budget and Policy Priorities)
- Medicaid In Maine (Kaiser Family Foundation)
- Defending Health Care in 2017: What is at Stake for Maine (Families USA)
- Medicaid Facts (Children’s Hospital Association)
- School-based Health Care Under Threat: Medicaid Per Capita Caps Hurt Kids (National Health Law Program)
- House Republican Health Plan Would Shift $1 Billion in Medicaid Costs to Maine (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Reports on State Impact:
- The Impact of Medicaid Cuts on People with Disabilities: State-by-State Breakdown (Center for American Progress)
- State Variation in Medicaid Per Enrollee Spending for Seniors and People with Disabilities (Kaiser Family Foundation)
- The Impact of Per Capita Caps on Federal and State Medicaid Spending (Urban Institute)
UPDATED CONTINUED ACTION ALERT 2: Letter writing / email campaign
Dear advocates, friends, and families of people with disabilities:
On May 4th, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the U.S. House of Representatives’ bill to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed the House by a vote of 217-213. The bill is now in the Senate for consideration. The Senate appears poised to begin discussion on the AHCA bill the week of June 5th, and may try to pass this legislation by the end of June, a far more expedited process than was originally anticipated (see the forwarded action alert from Autism Society of Maine below for additional information).
As discussed at the 3/13 meeting of the Coalition (click here for the March minutes), the proposed healthcare bill includes reforms to Medicaid (MaineCare) that will very likely affect you and/or your sons and daughters, including converting Medicaid funding to a per capita cap arrangement, with an additional option for states to administer Medicaid under a block grant arrangement. Other proposed changes include cuts to Special Education, changes for people with pre-existing conditions, and additional language regarding high-risk pools. These cuts are dramatic, estimated to be $839 billion over the next ten years, and clearly cuts of those magnitude will markedly reduce funds for services under Section 21, Section 29, and other sections of MaineCare.
Under the current MaineCare program, people with disabilities are eligible for and receive an array of services. Under a per capita cap or block granting of MaineCare, Maine will get far less federal funding and there will be fewer protections for people with disabilities. Maine stands to lose $5 Billion for people with disabilities over the next several years if this bill passes the Senate.
Now is the time for advocates, parents, and friends of people with disabilities to contact Senator Collins and Senator King and ask them to:
- Please vote against the American Health Care Act (AHCA); and
- Please oppose any proposal calling for a block grant, per capita cap, or any other restructuring that would restrict MaineCare’s ability to give people with disabilities the care they need.
Attached are draft letters to Senator Collins and Senator King. The letters include space for individuals, parents, guardians, and family members to tell their stories, and explain how imperative MaineCare services are to them and/or their loved ones with disabilities. Sending a letter to the Senators is easy – simply add in your information to replace red and italicized sections of the draft letters (click here for the draft letter to Senator Collins, click here for the draft letter to Senator King), and email them to:
- Senator Collins’ staff: Elizabeth Allen ([email protected]) Senator Collins’ Health and Medicaid/Medicare staffer; and Elizabeth McDonnell ([email protected]) Senator Collins’ Legislative Director.
- Senator King’s staff: Marge Kilkelly ([email protected]) Senator King’s Health & Medicaid/Medicare staffer; and Chad Metzler ([email protected]) Senator King’s Legislative Director.
Additionally, our action alert and a meeting with some concerned parents in early May helped educate Senator King about the need to protect MaineCare. He did exactly that on May 17th; Senator King took to the floor of the Senate to share the stories of two Maine people with disabilities who would be affected should the American Health Care Act (AHCA) pass. Please take a few moments to watch Senator King’s compelling speech here. If you reached out to him – thank you! If you have not yet done so, please thank him for his tremendous leadership on this issue.
By telling your story and the importance of MaineCare for yourself, your family, loved one, or person you work to help, you can help our members of Congress understand why funding for services are vital. Thank you for taking action and raising your voice!