Dear Editor:

According to testimony by Dan Demeritt, the executive director of the Maine Association of Health Plans, before the Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee, "Budget pressures and political uncertainty at the State House has contributed to a $120 million MaineCare shortfall and payments to hospitals have been reduced or delayed." Sarah Calder, Senior Government Affairs director at MaineHealth, has testified that "We are currently owed over $100 million by MaineCare." 

LD 331, Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Ensure Timely Reimbursement Under MaineCare Regarding Hospital Cost Reports, was proposed to the Committee. This bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse at least 75% of the as-filed settlement pursuant to a hospital's cost reports within 90 days of receipt.

On the House floor, the Majority Motion made that this bill OUGHT NOT TO PASS prevailed with House Roll Call 196 on 5/27/25, with a vote Yea: 70, Nay: 66, Absent: 15, Excused: 0. The Democrat majority voted against timely payments to the hospitals.

Among them was Wayne Farrin, District 47 Representative, who voted YEA, against the bill. Farrin is a part of the problem. In this case, Farrin did not represent our interests.

After numerous action by both the House and Senate the bill died on the appropriations table upon adjournment. 

Medical Services cannot continue to exist if they are not being paid for services rendered.  

Hospitals in Maine will struggle to pay their staff; staff will retire or seek employment elsewhere;  there will be even longer delays in getting appointments and adequate medical services will be less available (think birthing center at Miles). 

Edward J. Polewarczyk

Wiscasset