Regarding the article, “Dirigo’s savings placed at $34M by regulator” (BDN, July 22-23). Did you know this savings is on the back of the Maine insured residents?

I am a retired employee of a reputable Maine company and still have the privilege of buying into their self-insured medical insurance plan to supplement Medicare.

In July I received my monthly insurance bill with an additional $7.10 designated for Dirigo.

I called my former employer to see if this was yet another level of insurance bureaucracy and would be receiving another insurance card. I was told this was an assessment (a tax, if you will) by the Dirigo Health Agency to all Maine insureds.

As a retiree, I am also working part-time to supplement my income and passed this information on to my current employer. They checked with their medical insurance provider and it took three requests before they reluctantly replied. Their insurance cost increased this year by more than $7,800 because of the Dirigo Health Agency assessment.

They also said that Dirigo requested the assessment not to be listed as a line item when showing the increase. This company would have no premium increase had it not been for the Dirigo assessment.

The Dirigo assessment does little to create a healthy business environment for the state of Maine. What company would want to bring their business into Maine knowing this in advance? And how many will want to stay now?

I am of the opinion my personal rights are being violated by my state government.

As a retiree on Medicare and a supplemental policy for which combined I pay more than $400 a month, I am now paying for something I receive no benefit from and am supporting many people who choose to set different priorities than paying for a general medical insurance plan.

Donna Leland

Bangor