I. MECEP In Action: Our Analyses Key in Trump-Republican Tax Fight
II. MECEP Facts & Figures: Impact of ACA Individual Mandate Repeal on Rural Maine
III. MECEP Featured Blog Post: Study embraced by Senator Collins actually affirms that her plan will not prevent people from losing health insurance and paying higher premiums
IV. MECEP Save the Date: MECEP’s Policy Insights 2018 Conference
V. MECEP In the News

As you may have heard,  Senator Collins voted in favor of the Senate tax bill despite the tens of thousands of Mainers who called, emailed, and visited her offices. A good number of Mainers opposed the tax bill and MECEP was more than happy to provide them the information they needed to argue against the tax bill on its merits. 

We released a map that showed Aroostook and Washington counties would be especially impacted by a repeal of the Affordable Care Act “individual mandate”; up to 50,000 fewer Mainers would have health insurance, and premiums could rise by up to $3000/year.

We produced numerous analyses showing how the tax bills would  impact health care, children and families, seniors, property tax deductions, and Maine’s budget. 

While Senator Collins’ vote is disappointing, the Senate and House tax bills now head to “reconciliation” (a process by which Congress resolves differences between the versions). 

If the House agrees to health care repeal provisions in the Senate tax bill, the estimated increase in insurance costs for a 40-year-old Mainer in Kennebec County would be $665/year in 2018 and $1,005/year by 2027. For a 60-year-old Mainer in Washington County the impact would be particularly severe, $2,062/year in 2018 and a wallet-busting $3,118/year by 2027.  
 

Study embraced by Senator Collins actually affirms that her plan will not prevent people from losing health insurance and paying higher premiums  | By Garrett Martin, Executive Director

Earlier this week, Avalere health consulting released a report indicating that two proposals advocated by Senator Collins would reduce health insurance premiums. Senator Collins seized on this analysis. In a tweet on December 6, she claimed that the Avalere study “confirms my reinsurance bill & Alexander-Murray proposal would reduce health insurance premiums by 18% in 2019.” … Continue Reading.

January 17, 2018

Policy Insights 2018 Conference

Senator Inn, Augusta, ME
Look for registration information soon at www.mecep.org.

MECEP talks Senate tax bill on WZON The Pulse with Don Cookson
November 29,2017 | WZON The Pulse with Don Cookson

Tax bill’s fate may depend on Maine’s Susan Collins
November 27,2017 | Lewiston Sun Journal

Shop local often to support Charleston economy, community
November 18,2017 | Sunday Gazette-Mail (South Carolina)

Congress to Vote on Massive Tax Cut for the Wealthy, Repeal of ACA Provision
November 17,2017 | Rockland Free Press

Analyses: Repealing Individual Mandate Would Leave 50,000 More Mainers Uninsured
November 17,2017 | Maine Public

After initial relief, paying for GOP tax cuts could hit Mainers hard
November 15,2017 | Bangor Daily News

Pingree, ‘regular Mainers’ criticize Republican tax plan
November 14,2017 | The Falmouth Forecaster

MECEP talks GOP tax reform on WZON The Pulse with Don Cookson
November 13,2017 | WZON The Pulse with Don Cookson

Why these major Bangor organizations are supporting Medicaid expansion
November 3,2017 | Bangor Daily News

House tax bill would give sizable savings to wealthy Mainers
November 3,2017 | Portland Press Herald