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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

Supplemental budget puts Maine’s Medicare Savings Programs at risk

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Thursday, March 7, 2024   

Some 30,000 Mainers could lose access to critical healthcare benefits under Gov. Janet Mills' proposed supplemental budget.

The state legislature took historic action last year to expand Medicare Savings Programs, which help Medicare recipients with limited incomes afford out-of-pocket expenses.

Mills proposes that expansion be reversed.

Bridget Quinn - associate state director of advocacy and outreach with AARP Maine - said the governor may want to save for a rainy day, but too many Mainers are still struggling to meet their basic needs.

"It hasn't gotten any easier," said Quinn. "A lot of people are still struggling, so for some people the rainy day is here and that is something that we think needs to be considered."

Quinn said Medicare households already spend more than double that of non-Medicare households on their healthcare needs.

Mills has proposed saving more than $100 million to protect the state's long-term fiscal health.

Maine's Budget Stabilization (Rainy Day) Fund has reached nearly $970 million - a record high, so it was a shock for healthcare advocates when a rollback of the Medicare Savings Programs was announced.

Quinn said AARP hears regularly from Mainers struggling to pay for prescription drugs, co-pays and deductibles.

She said limiting Medicare Savings Programs could lead people to avoid needed medical care.

"They're going to wait and delay their appointments and maybe not go in for something that they're concerned about, which can really have huge, detrimental effects down the line."

Quinn urged Mainers to contact their legislators to urge them not to consider a budget that cuts critical healthcare support.

Mills has argued that if lawmakers can't budget responsibly now, they'll be forced to make more painful cuts in the future - like other states are having to do now.




Disclosure: AARP Maine contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

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