PORTLAND — A federal lawsuit on Thursday targeted a rollback of MaineCare benefits supported by Gov. Paul LePage that eliminated health care coverage for hundreds of legal immigrants living in the state. The lawsuit by Maine Equal Justice Partners and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine Foundation was brought on behalf of a Fort […]
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MaineCare lawsuit anticipated Thursday
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Two advocacy groups are suing the state over changes in MaineCare that were adopted by state lawmakers. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine and Maine Equal Justice Partners say they’re filing their legal challenge Thursday in federal court in Portland. A spokesman declined to reveal details ahead of the filing. […]
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GOP leaves mark on Maine Legislature
AUGUSTA — From cutting back MaineCare benefits to rolling back collective bargaining rights, Gov. Paul LePage and Maine’s Republican-majority Legislature have left their mark on the 2012 election-year session. Lawmakers made eligibility changes to MaineCare that will remove thousands from a social service system the governor says the state can’t afford, passed portions of his […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine panel OKs probe in welfare computer snafu
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A legislative panel has OK’d an investigation into a computer error that caused the state’s Medicaid program, known as MaineCare, to continue covering thousands of people after they lost eligibility. The bipartisan Government Oversight Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize a investigation by the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability. […]
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Another 5,300 mistakenly left eligible for MaineCare benefits, report says
AUGUSTA, Maine — As officials work to nail down how much a Medicaid computer error will cost the state, the problem’s potential scope has widened. The Department of Health and Human Services originally estimated that the error led the state’s Medicaid program, known as MaineCare, to continue paying medical bills for up to 19,000 beneficiaries after they […]
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After Maine finds extra $14.3 million, what’s next for budget process?
AUGUSTA, Maine — Tuesday’s discovery of an extra $14.3 million in state revenue has thrown a wrench into the Legislature’s budget negotiations. The co-chairs of the Appropriations Committee — Sen. Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, and Rep. Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop — were expected to meet Wednesday with House and Senate leadership to discuss options. The statutory adjournment date for […]
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In rare move, lawmakers override LePage MaineCare veto
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers scored their first veto override in a decade Wednesday, drowning out Gov. Paul LePage’s objections to restore MaineCare services to special-needs children in the state’s schools. The 35-0 vote Wednesday in the Senate came without debate and a day after a House vote of 124-16. The measure directs the […]
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Disabled people needing help feel Maine cutbacks
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Ethan Kelly, who has cerebral palsy, graduated from high school in June to the cheers of his classmates and friends. Since then, the 21-year-old has been living at home, needing the constant care of his parents. “My wife and I and Ethan, it’s 24-7,” said Alden Kelly, 55, whose family lives […]
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Methadone for MaineCare patients capped at two years under bill
AUGUSTA, Maine — Drug-addicted Medicaid patients would lose coverage for methadone treatment after two years under a bill green-lighted Monday by a legislative committee. The bill, LD 1840, limits reimbursement for methadone for opiate addiction to 24 months unless the provider gets approval for longer treatment ahead of time from the Department of Health and […]
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Walgreens settles civil complaint in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s top federal prosecutor says Walgreens has agreed to pay $350,000 to settle claims that it improperly billed Maine’s Medicaid program. U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty II said Thursday that a civil complaint alleged that the national drug store chain unjustly profited between November 2007 and July 2010 by billing MaineCare for […]