BANGOR, Maine — About 50 area residents filled the conference room and spilled out into the lobby of the Penquis agency on Harlow Street on Monday to rally against proposed cuts to the MaineCare program and the Department of Health and Human Services budget.
“It was standing room only,” said Ilze Petersons, program coordinator for the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine.
Jean Bridges, child development director at the private, nonprofit Penquis agency, talked about the harm cuts would have on programs such as the Head Start and pre-Head Start preschool and child care programs.
“The loss of Head Start programs, and the jobs lost from them if they’re cut, are of particular concern,” said Petersons. “Those budget savings won’t really be savings, as people on MaineCare who may lose their health care benefits will have to use other services like emergency calls and make more visits to hospitals.”
Several speakers at the press conference urged Maine residents to contact their representatives and senators about the proposed cuts.
“I believe in shared sacrifice, but to me, this is not shared sacrifice,” said Old Town resident Avery Olmstead, an activist. “To be blunt, if these cuts are enacted, I truly feel that many people who are elderly and/or disabled will die as a result.”
MaineCare is Maine’s version of the federal Medicaid program.
My fellow poor, elderly, and disabled neighbors – you finally have a chance to contribute to your community. Rather than be unwilling sacrifices for the greater good, it’s time we accept our place in history: we are MARTYRS. Thank you Paul LePage for giving us poor a permanent way out of misery.
Maine: where funeral homes are OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
Sounds like you’ve been buffaloed into believing that 1 out of 4 Mainers who receive Medicaid is disabled. Of course, the evidence of welfare abuse dictates otherwise.
All Mainers need medical care regardless of their ability, age, or economic class. They shouldn’t suffer because Augusta bureaucrats are misappropriating funds, or because your Reagan-era welfare queen mythos still haunts you at tax time. You’ve got your finger pointed in the wrong direction. Fraud only benefits a select few and it ain’t the people at the bottom whose services are being cut.
Well Said!
Oh horse puckey mainmajority.
What evidence would that be. The ponied up video by Criminal James O’Keefe?
The fraudsters think it’s just fine. Honest people Don’t!
Save the funds for those that Truly need it.
Report Fraud in Maine
Allegations of fraud or attempted fraud involving funds, including Food Stamps,
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services should be sent to:
Fraud, Investigation and Recovery
11 State House Station
Whitten Road
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Phone numbers for DHHS Fraud office are:
1-207-287-2409 and 1-800-442-6003
Further questions and suspicions can also be submitted by e-mail.
Fraud.Dhhs@maine.gov
Contact the Office of the Attorney General
Phone: 207-626-8800
Mailing Address:
Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
http://www.maine.gov/ag/contact.html
Do All three, Phone, E-mail and send a Letter.
Follow-up in 30 days with a Certified letter if no response.
Send a letter Directly to the Governor’s Office, that should get their attention.
Keep a written log of actions and attempts to notify.
Hold them Responsible!
Yeppers
….
Dropped this story quick didnt we BDN? Wonder why?
I spoke to both senators and the one representative that has a phone number listed and expressed by dislike about the Maine Care Cuts. This is just a very bad deal for Maine. I hope that all Mainers will sign the patition to impeach LaPage. We have mad a mistake in voting in an individaul that can’t not do the Job and he needs to be fired.
Is it not true that a Governor in the State of Maine is not subject ti Impeachment? I do not have all the facts, but I think that is not an option in Maine…shame though.