Every Mainer should have access to healthcare

As Maine’s economy partially reopens and Mainers return to the workplace, businesses and working families are adjusting to our “new normal.” But there is still more work to be done to ensure the health of Mainers and the longevity of our economic recovery.

We know that both our communities and workplaces thrive when families are healthy. To stop the spread of this virus and ensure our economy stays afloat, we need to make sure Maine’s hardworking families have access to comprehensive and affordable health care.

According to a recent study by FamiliesUSA, there are 106,000 uninsured adults in Maine. Between February and May alone, 14,000 laid-off Mainers lost their health insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Without access to affordable coverage or treatment, our families, communities and economy are at risk. Maine cannot recover from this virus if our working families cannot afford to take care of themselves or their loved ones.

When the Legislature returns to session, they must immediately take action to increase the accessibility and affordability of health care.

Add your name to our petition to send a message to the Legislature: Every Mainer should have access to healthcare.

'There are still bills that mount up': Mainers need Paid Family & Medical Leave.

It’s important that Maine’s hard-working families know that they can take time off if they are sick, have a newborn, or are caring for a loved one. A robust Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program in Maine would guarantee at least 12 weeks of leave for Mainers to get better if they get seriously sick, to care for an ill family member, to welcome a new child, and to take care of our military family needs.

We called hundreds of local working families to ask them their thoughts on PFML, and received powerful responses on what a statewide policy would mean for many of Maine’s working families.

Linda from Wiccasset told us her story on why PFML is critical for her, and many other working people across Maine.

“Last October, I was in the hospital for a week because my kidneys shut down, and was out of work for over a month,” said Linda.

With the current statewide family leave policy that is in place, some employees are forced to take unpaid leave, or come to work when they are ill.

“It’s important for people to still get paid while they’re not working, because there are bills that still mount up,” said Linda.

As this pandemic continues, it’s crucial Mainers are able to take time off to care for themselves or their loved ones without risking their paycheck. It’s time to ensure that Maine’s working families have access to PFML.

"Because she needed time off, she was fired" : Mainers need Paid Family & Medical Leave

As we continue to battle COVID-19, it is more important than ever that every hardworking Mainer has Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).

And Mainers agree. We called hundreds of local working families to ask them their thoughts on PFML, and received powerful responses on what a statewide policy would mean for many of Maine’s working families.

We spoke to Kathy from Waterville, who is a nurse in the area.

“When I was working in oncology, I had a young patient with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy, and because she needed time off, she was fired from the job she was working at because she needed time off,” Kathy said on the call.

The current lack of a statewide PFML policy means some employees are forced to take unpaid leave, come to work when they are ill, or, in the worst case, risk the loss of their job (and their insurance with it).

“She lost her job, and her income, and her insurance, and I just thought that was really lousy,” said Kathy.

Right now, our current policy that’s in place is not enough. We know that communities and workplaces thrive when our families are healthy; PFML is an important part of that.

It’s time to ensure that Maine’s working families can take time off to care for themselves or their loved ones, without risking their paycheck.