Health Care (saved)

Health Care

Everyone has the right to health care, but far too many Mainers cannot afford the care they need. Eight percent of Maine people have no health coverage, and many more struggle to afford the cost of care even with insurance. The U.S. health care system is broken, inefficient and inequitable, but in Maine we continue to work to improve health care access and affordability.

Maine’s economy, our hospitals, and our families are all stronger and more resilient when everyone can get access to the care they need, when they need it. Health care supports our physical and mental wellbeing and is necessary for people to work and go to school successfully. Health care helps Maine people and communities thrive.

Some Mainers suffer significant health disparities and are more likely to face barriers to adequate and affordable health care. Health disparities between racial and ethnic groups have been identified in Maine. Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other people of color are less likely to have access to quality, affordable health care. Certain immigrants are ineligible for MaineCare coverage that helps people with low income access health care. Until 2011, Maine provided coverage to most immigrants, but cuts made by the LePage Administration made some ineligible for MaineCare. While MaineCare is providing more services for LGBTQ+ individuals, they still experience health disparities and barriers to adequate, affordable health care.

Maine Equal Justice works to advance access to high-quality affordable health care for all. Working toward universal health care means closing gaps in coverage wherever possible and making sure those who have access to public health care programs, like MaineCare, don’t lose any of the services they need.

MaineCare (Medicaid)

Maine’s Medicaid program (MaineCare) provides lifesaving health coverage for approximately one in six low-income adults and four in nine children from low-income families. The number of Mainers covered by MaineCare is growing because Maine voters passed Medicaid expansion in 2017.  

Helpful links:

MaineCare Expansion:

The Health Insurance Marketplace

Health Care Partners:

The MaineCare Advisory Council (MAC) provides guidance to Maine DHHS about MaineCare policies and services. Currently, Kathy Kilrain del Rio, MEJ Director of Campaigns and Healthcare Advocacy, chairs the committee. Other members include advocates for health care policy, representatives of health care service providers, and people with MaineCare coverage.

For more information about the MAC, you can contact Kathy Kilrain del Rio.

There are public programs that help make health care more affordable. If you need help understanding which programs you might qualify for, try Direct Legal Assistance.

LGBTQ+ Health Care Resources:

Health Disparities Resources:

  • “There are thousands of Mainers like my sister who worked in mills or manufacturing who have been laid off in the past few years and their families have been left without any health insurance. Our economy is changing in Maine and people are getting hurt in that churn. Many laid off mill workers are now working low-wage jobs that don’t provide benefits, hoping and praying to make it to Medicare age without getting seriously sick. The toll this has taken on families is enormous. It’s sleepless nights, shortened lives and the worry and fear that comes without the security of health care.”

    Linda, Livermore

  • “It’s a basic right of everyone to have access to being healthy. It shouldn’t be a privilege for only those born into it or in the right place at the right time. Sickness happens to us all, rich or poor.”

    Erika, Waterville

    Even if you don't qualify for MaineCare, your kids might!

    Find out more

    Maine Equal Justice focuses its work on many of the issues that affect people’s daily lives – access to adequate health care, housing, transportation and childcare; food and income security; and higher education and training. Maine Equal Justice is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization. Our EIN is 04-3346273. 
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