Last edited Wed Oct 23, 2013, 09:25 AM - Edit history (1)
"The Affordable Care Act originally sought make health insurance more accessible in two ways: through a new online markplace that offers federal subsidies, and with a federally-subsidized Medicaid expansion. A Supreme Court ruling allowed states to choose whether or not to expand Medicaid, and Maine is one of 26 states that has opted out. It's creating a coverage gap, where an estimated 25,000 Mainers earn too much to be on Medicaid, but too little to qualify for a subsidy under the Affordable Care Act. Patty Wight has more.
"Jerry Robichaud is a book seller. He's 62, and his income is less than the federal poverty level of $11,400 dollars. For a little more than 10 years, Robichaud has received health coverage through MaineCare, the state Medicaid program.
"Because of state cuts to the program, that's about to change. "I got the notice a couple weeks ago that it was going to shut off December 31st," he says.
"Robichaud says what also hurts is that he doesn't qualify for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. So, he can't afford coverage. "If anything happens and you need medical help, what am I supposed to do, you know?" he says."
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http://www.mpbn.net/News/AffordableCareActandMaine/tabid/1599/ctl/ViewItem/mid/5674/ItemId/30571/Default.aspx