I am writing regarding the proposed merger of state health insurance into Dirigo Health (LD 619). According to Maine Public Law 469, Dirigo Choice was designed to provide an affordable, high-quality option for health coverage to Maine businesses that have 50 or fewer eligible employees, the self-employed, and uninsured individuals.

I fail to understand how the state of Maine qualifies as a business with 50 or fewer employees and why the Legislature feels it necessary to thrust state workers into a plan that has such fiscal problems in order to keep it afloat. My understanding is that Dirigo must comply with all insurance regulations and attract voluntary participation. I haven’t heard any state employees say that they are willing or prepared to accept higher deductibles and co-pays under the proposed merger. Legislative compulsion does not intimate voluntary participation.

Since Dirigo is coordinated with the Medicaid program, why not put all state workers on Medicaid and perhaps more funding from federal programs will become available to the state. I would urge state representatives to vote “no” regarding this proposal and listen to state workers, who are also voting constituents.

We are the working middle class and do not deserve to have our benefits further eroded in order to bail out this program. It should stand on its own as originally devised, not be artificially propped up by inflating the numbers with a captive work force.

Hope Page

Dover-Foxcroft