An Act To Decrease Uncompensated Care, Reduce Medical Debt and Improve Health Outcomes

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to enact measures, tailored to the unique conditions in Maine, designed to: 1. Reduce the burden of uncompensated medical care in Maine experienced by health care providers in hospitals, health centers and health care provider offices, including care provided through charity care programs; 2. Lower the number of uninsured in Maine by providing a strategy for uninsured, low-income persons with income up to 133% of the federal poverty level to have access to health coverage using available, cost-effective health care coverage options for Medicaid; 3. Address inefficiencies within our current health care systems, use federal funds available to Maine and offer more options for insurance coverage to the uninsured; and 4. Allow Maine to remain competitive with neighboring states, bring savings to the General Fund and protect the fiscal sustainability of rural and safety net hospitals and health centers.