Provisions to eliminate lifetime benefit caps and introduce tax credits for small businesses that provide health insurance start immediately.  Others like the individual mandate and health insurance exchanges won’t take effect for another four years.  That is a huge challenge confronting reformers.

In 2003, Maine created Dirigo Health, one of the most significant health reform initiatives by any state.  Like the current national reform, several key Dirigo provisions took time to implement.  Opponents used this transition to undermine program support and chip away at its scope and impact.

National reform advocates should heed Maine’s experience.  While passing comprehensive legislation was a monumental accomplishment, maintaining its integrity may be an even greater challenge.

Maine is well-positioned to realize significant benefits from national reform.  Since many of Maine’s consumer protections mirror provisions in the new federal law, opponents can no longer argue that Maine is at a competitive disadvantage with other states.  Other provisions in the new federal law will complement Maine’s efforts to modernize our health data system and reform the way we pay for health care to address both quality and cost.  Because we have already expanded MaineCare eligibility and created DirigoChoice, the state can more rapidly deploy federal funds to improve Mainers’ access to affordable coverage.

Maine is at the forefront of comprehensive health care reform.  The landmark reforms Congress just enacted affirm Maine’s efforts and increase the likelihood they will flourish.  But reformers at the state and national level must remain vigilant and continue to work together to deliver quality, affordable health care for all.

On February 4th MECEP released a new report which estimated that cuts proposed to the state budget for health care and education would result in the loss of 7,000 to 10,000 jobs.  The response from the Maine media was impressive with front page stories in the Portland Press Herald and the Central Maine Newspapers and an extensive report on MPBN.  Rep. Anne Perry, House Chair of the Legislature’s Health & Human Services Committee, cited the MECEP study in a February 9th “op ed” in the Portland Press Herald asserting that MECEP’s projected job losses “would only keep Maine in a longer, deeper recession.”  (Brunswick) Times Record columnist Doug Rooks wrote “The reason the MECEP report is so important is that it frames the choices differently than has been done so far.”

On February 9th MECEP Executive Director Christopher “Kit” St. John joined Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, Maine Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, other legislators, business people and health care and education advocates for a State House press conference calling on Senators Snowe and Collins to fight for immediate passage of a new jobs bill pending in the U.S. Senate.  Kit stressed the need for federal fiscal relief for Maine and other states struggling to provide health care and education services to their citizens.   Video of Kit’s press conference statement is available on YouTube.

And finally, MECEP made its own contribution to job creation this week, hiring me as its new Communications Director.  I look forward to doing my best to support MECEP’s efforts to ensure economic and social justice for all Maine families.