President Trump’s decision to eliminate federal reimbursement of a key subsidy to Affordable Care Act insurers will further boost average premium increases in 2018 for individual ACA policyholders in Maine. However, Maine’s two remaining ACA insurers, Community Health Options and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, said the move would not prompt them to drop out […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Donald Trump’s executive order could alter Maine insurance market
President Trump’s latest executive order could make health insurance more costly for older, sicker Mainers by enticing younger, healthier individuals to purchase cheaper and less-regulated plans. Still, it could be some time before the rule-making needed to enforce the proposed changes goes into effect. “As of the signing of the executive order, absolutely nothing changes,” […]
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Social Security benefits to rise by 2 percent in 2018
The Social Security Administration’s main campus is seen in Woodlawn, Md. Millions of Social Security recipients and other retirees can expect another small increase in benefits in 2018. Preliminary figures suggest an increase of around 2 percent. That would mean an extra $25 a month for the average beneficiary. The Social Security Administration is scheduled […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump signs order to end subsidies for health care
President Donald Trump shows an executive order on health care that he signed in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) — In a brash move likely to roil insurance markets, President Donald Trump will “immediately” halt payments to insurers under the Obama-era health […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins to stay in the U.S. Senate, not run for governor
Susan Collins announced Friday that she will not run for governor, instead remaining in the U.S. Senate for the duration of her term. ROCKPORT — Sen. Susan Collins ended more than two years of speculation Friday and announced she would not run for governor in 2018, a decision that opens up the race for the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump signs order to eliminate ACA insurance rules
President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order on health care in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Washington. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday morning intended to allow small businesses and potentially individuals to buy a long-disputed type of health insurance that skirts […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
House set to pass $36.5B for hurricane, wildfire relief
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is on track to backing President Donald Trump’s request for billions more in disaster aid, $16 billion to pay flood insurance claims and emergency funding to help the cash-strapped government of Puerto Rico stay afloat. Thursday’s hurricane aid package totals $36.5 billion and sticks close to a White House request, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Shawn Moody becomes a republican, considers running for governor
Shawn Moody, the businessman who made his name in politics as an independent candidate for governor in 2010, is now a Republican. Shawn Moody of Gorham, a former independent candidate for governor, is joining the Maine Republican Party, a move he admits could open the door for his second gubernatorial campaign in the past seven […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature to study nonprofit ownership of conserved lands
Thanks to an Oct. 6, 2014 land buy from Verso Paper Corp., the Androscoggin Land Trust of Auburn has permanently conserved for public benefit some 1,250 acres of forested land along the Androscoggin River in Canton and Jay. AUGUSTA (AP) — Lawmakers have begun diving into the issue of land conservation programs, which supporters say […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Espling, Timberlake running for open state Senate seats
Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, answers a question about the state budget during a January 2016 news conference at the State House in Augusta. Rep. Ellie Espling, R-New Gloucester, right, also spoke at the news conference. AUGUSTA — Two Republicans declared their intention Wednesday of seeking state Senate seats next year of incumbents departing to pursue […]