Last week, the Maine Direct Care Worker Coalition was successful in getting a bill introduced for a pilot program for health care coverage for direct care workers. The bill was sponsored by Senator Nancy Sullivan, co-chair of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee. Senator Sullivan became a champion for direct care worker issues after a strong hearing on a bill (pdf) addressing health care for DCWs heard by the committee last year. The bill echoed the recent recommendation of the Bureau of Insurance.
The bill as introduced reads:
An Act to Enhance Health Care for Direct Care Workers
This bill would establish a pilot project with a $500,000 limit (up to discussion) that will be available to providers of MaineCare Services to enhance or add health insurance for their health care workers. The funding will come from MaineCare. There will be a simple process by which providers may apply for this limited project.
The legislation will be amended with details later in the legislative session.
Allison Lee
National Campaign Manager
Health Care for Health Care Workers
alee@phinational.org
