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Tuesday, February 11, 2025

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Trump imposes 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum; 80% of Montanans oppose reduced workers' rights; Lawmaker says dismantling Education Dept. would harm Oregon schools; Harm reduction efforts fall short for Black men in Indiana.

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President Donald Trump approves 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. Democrats who oppose dismantling the agency have been denied access to the Department of Education. And some places buck policy trends on sex education and immigration.

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Medical debt, which tops $90 billion has an outsized impact on rural communities, a new photography book shares the story of 5,000 schools built for Black students between 1912 and 1937, and anti-hunger advocates champion SNAP.

MaineCare Recipients Urged to Update Forms to Ensure Coverage

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Friday, August 25, 2023   

Public health advocates are working to ensure Medicaid recipients in Maine continue to have health care coverage as pandemic-era policies have ended.

Extended coverage for children and families began to "unwind" in Spring, requiring people with MaineCare to update their contact information with the state to ensure they retain coverage or move to a plan through the federal marketplace.

Ann Woloson, executive director of Consumers for Affordable Healthcare, advised people to be on the lookout for blue envelopes in the mail.

"Hopefully that will stand out to them," Woloson explained. "They can look it over, update any information that might be missing or has changed and send it back to the department right away."

Woloson noted the state's My Maine Connection website is another way to update account information and determine MaineCare eligibility.

It's estimated nearly 17 million nationwide could lose their Medicaid coverage, many for simple paperwork errors. Others will find coverage elsewhere, through an employer or spouse.

Woloson pointed out there are also affordable plans available through the Affordable Care Act, and no matter how they find health care coverage, help is available.

"Many of the people that we talk with and help apply for coverage are eligible for monthly subsidies to help them pay for their monthly premiums," Woloson observed. "We can help people sort through that as well."

Woloson added Consumers for Affordable Healthcare offers a special hotline with certified application counselors who can help guide people through the process. People can also request an in-person appointment in the Augusta area.

Disclosure: Consumers for Affordable Healthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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