ME: Poverty Issues
Census data: More Mainers struggle to meet basic needs
More Maine households struggled to meet their basic needs last year, according to new census data. More than 80,000 Mainers, or roughly 6% of the …
Proposed rule would benefit Mainers struggling with medical debt
Maine households struggling to pay medical debt could benefit from a proposed federal rule to remove medical bills from credit reports. The rule …
Low wages, burnout cited for ME direct-care worker shortage
A critical shortage of direct care workers in Maine is leaving residents without needed health services, according to a new report. It showed more …
Fewer ME kids living in poverty but education problems grow
The economic well-being of kids in Maine is improving, but chronic school absence is impacting learning, according to a new report. The 2024 Kids …
ME health advocates tout benefits of expanded Medicare Savings Plans
Maine lawmakers have approved a full expansion of the state's Medicare Savings Plans, ensuring continued eligibility for some 45,000 low-income …
ME lawmakers increase aid for families experiencing deep poverty
Gov. Janet Mills has signed legislation to increase temporary assistance payments to families experiencing deep poverty. Payments will increase by 2…
Supplemental budget puts Maine’s Medicare Savings Programs at risk
Some 30,000 Mainers could lose access to critical healthcare benefits under Gov. Janet Mills' proposed supplemental budget. The state legislature …
ME survey shows support for transparent hospital prices, facility fee limits
A new survey reveals most Mainers support policies requiring medical providers to disclose their facility fees before they receive treatment…
Facility fees add to Mainers' growing concerns over medical debt
Maine lawmakers are calling for greater transparency in how hospitals and other health care centers charge so-called facility fees. A legislative …
Maine food banks meet growing demand as Farm Bill lags
Food banks in Maine are struggling to keep up with demand as the Farm Bill remains stalled in Congress. The bill is renegotiated every five years …
Report finds gaps in child well-being persist across Maine
Children of color in Maine fare relatively well compared to their peers nationwide, but gaps in child well-being persist - according to a new report…
Mainers get another chance at open enrollment for health coverage
Healthcare advocates in Maine say people who missed the most recent open enrollment deadline for healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act h…