On behalf of the 230,000 AARP members in Maine, the organization congratulates Maine legislators for working together in the spirit of bipartisanship to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto and pass the state budget, which includes restored funding for programs critical to many of Maine’s most at-risk residents.

In particular, AARP Maine fought hard for funding for the Medicare Savings Program and the Drugs for the Elderly program, both of which provide access to essential health care and prescription drug coverage for seniors and adults with disabilities.

The Legislature made the best decision to ensure that tens of thousands of Mainers still will have access to the health care programs and services they need. The Medicare Savings Program covers Medicare Part B premiums, which pay for doctor visits, preventive care, ambulance services and outpatient care. It also covers Medicare Part D prescription drug costs and co-payments.

If the proposed cuts had been approved, 40,000 seniors and adults with disabilities would have been cut from the program. Depending on their individual circumstances, these at-risk Mainers would have lost some or all coverage for prescription drugs, hospital deductibles, skilled nursing care, outpatient medical services and more.

Maine’s Drugs for the Elderly helps pay for prescription drugs for low-income Mainers who are 62 or older and not yet eligible for Medicare. If the proposed cuts had been approved, even more individuals would have lost their prescription drug coverage through the program.

AARP members voiced their concerns about the proposed cuts to the Drugs for the Elderly and Medicare Savings Program throughout the session. We delivered hundreds of petitions from people across the state to legislative leadership. We are pleased that their voices and the voices of Maine’s most vulnerable residents were heard in Augusta.

Rena Heath

AARP Maine Advocacy Volunteer

Hallowell

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