A recent U.S. Census report found that the percentage of Maine residents without health insurance dropped from 8 percent to 5.7 percent over three years, making Maine’s uninsured rate about half what it was a decade ago.
The decline in uninsured Mainers has been primarily attributed to state lawmakers’ work to expand Medicaid eligibility expansion in 2019.
Maine went from having the nation’s 26th-lowest uninsured rate in 2019 (8 percent) to 14th in 2021 (5.7 percent). It represents the steepest drop in uninsured residents of any state in the country. As Governor Mills recently said:
“Having health insurance saves lives. That’s why since my first day in office, I have fought to make healthcare more accessible and more affordable for all Maine people. This report shows we are succeeding.”
In recent years, Maine leaders have passed legislation to help expand healthcare access for Mainers across the state.
In 2020 they passed the Made for Maine Health Coverage Act to simplify access to health insurance for individuals and small businesses while also reducing or eliminating costs for common health visits.
In 2021, Maine established CoverME.gov – a statewide health insurance marketplace which allows people to compare and choose from plans uniquely designed for Mainers.
This new census report confirms that our state is moving in the right direction. Mainers for Working Families commends our leaders in Augusta for their continued efforts to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to everyday Mainers.
Comments