Maine’s Vaccination Milestone: 1 Million Vaccinated!

Earlier this month, Maine reached a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19. Over 1 million Mainers are now fully vaccinated, meaning our state has the fourth-highest vaccination rate in the country at 68 percent (including children under 12).

Addressing this major accomplishment, Governor Mills said, “I applaud the more than one million Maine people who have rolled up their sleeves to turn the tide on this pandemic. That such a significant number of folks have gotten vaccinated is a testament to the willingness of Maine people to step up and do what’s right for themselves, their neighbors, and their communities.”

While this is excellent news, we’re still not out of the woods where the coronavirus is concerned. Over 1,000 Mainers have lost their lives to COVID-19, and nearly 800 new cases were found on Wednesday alone. With a 7-day new case average of 393, we remain in the midst of a spike that cannot be ignored, particularly as the weather starts getting colder and more people move indoors.

The fact remains that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, vaccinations prevented over 800 cases and 100 deaths among Maine’s senior citizens between January and May. Wearing a mask is also important, regardless of vaccination status.

Still on the fence about getting vaccinated? Read our vaccine FAQ here.

A New Public Health Insurance Option for Mainers

Last week, Governor Mills announced that Maine will become one of the latest states to offer a statewide health insurance market under the Affordable Care Act. We’re here to answer your question about how it works and what it can do for you.

How do I enroll?

The state’s health insurance market will be accessible through CoverME.org. From November 1 through January 15, Mainers can compare affordable healthcare plans to see which coverage options work best for each individual, as well as determine whether they can get a lower-cost healthcare plan. CoverME.gov can also help determine if you or your family qualify for free or low-cost coverage from MaineCare or CubCare (the Children’s Health Insurance Program).

Is this an improvement over how we’ve gotten health insurance in the past?

Absolutely! For those who don’t qualify for state-sponsored health insurance like MaineCare or CubCare, CoverME gives Mainers an alternative to employer-sponsored healthcare that’s better tailored to the needs of our state. After millions lost their health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, this option can help the uninsured get the care they need.

What does this mean for Maine’s working families?

Access to a statewide health insurance market fills many of the coverage gaps in our current system. For people who don’t qualify for care under MaineCare or the ACA, or whose families aren’t covered under employer-specific insurance, CoverME is a great option for affordable healthcare.

Is there any financial assistance available?

Yes. Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan (the federal government’s COVID-19 stimulus package for 2021), 80 percent of Mainers who choose coverage through CoverME will have access to some degree of financial aid. One in four Mainers using CoverME will be able to get health insurance for just $10 a month!

CoverME represents a massive step towards guaranteeing affordable healthcare for all Mainers. We applaud Governor Mills for her leadership and commitment to keeping Maine’s families safe and healthy.

Will Maine Ban Foreign Corporate Spending in Elections?

Maine could become one of the first states to close a massive campaign finance loophole.

Political contributions from foreign nationals are illegal in the US. But after the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision allowed unlimited money to flood our elections, foreign actors found a way to influence our elections through corporate contributions. Multinational corporations with partial foreign ownership, like Amazon and Uber, can spend money in our elections and therefore sidestep the ban on foreign interference. Just this year in Maine, the foreign-owned company Hydro-Quebec has taken advantage of this loophole to pour over $9.6 million into the CMP corridor referendum that will appear on the ballot next month.

Now Maine voters have the chance to close this loophole in state elections via a citizens’ referendum. The Protect Maine Elections committee is currently campaigning to get a question about foreign-influenced corporate spending on the 2022 ballot. Leading the committee are Democratic Representative Kyle Bailey of Gorham and Republican Senator Richard Bennett of Oxford.

"I think this is a unique issue that brings Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Greens, [and] Libertarians together because despite our differences we all agree that our political system isn't working and that money is an issue, but in particular, that foreign governments and their subsidiaries shouldn't be involved in our elections," Rep. Bailey said. "Maine elections should be for Maine people."

This isn’t a new idea in Maine. During this past legislative session, the bill LD 194, “An Act To Prohibit Contributions, Expenditures and Participation by Foreign Government-owned Entities To Influence Referenda,” passed both the Senate and the House, but was vetoed by Governor Mills.

Maine also isn’t the only state exploring a ban on foreign-influenced corporate spending in elections. Massachusetts is actively considering legislation, and New York’s Senate passed a bill earlier this year (the bill is currently on hold in the House). Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Oregon are also examining such bans.

As Rep. Bailey so plainly put it, Maine elections are meant for Maine people. Our democracy should not be bought and sold by corporations, particularly those with full or partial foreign ownership, to benefit their shareholders at the expense of our state’s needs. Mainers for Working Families proudly supports a ban on foreign-influenced corporate spending in our elections.

Protect Maine Elections has until January to gather over 63,000 signatures. Petitioning begins in mid-October. To learn more about the campaign and volunteer to collect signatures, visit Protect Maine Elections’ Facebook page.