MaineCare

Democratic state lawmakers are sounding alarms about proposed federal cuts and work requirements for Medicaid- known in the state as MaineCare- which they say would be extremely detrimental to Mainers who rely on the program.

MaineCare patients have complained for years that the private vendors who are paid to shuttle them to non-emergency medical appointments sometimes show up late or not at all. But DHHS said the bill is unnecessary — and potentially costly.

But the fate of the measure remains unclear despite bipartisan support for filling the nearly $120 million shortfall in the state's Medicaid program.

Medicaid provides health coverage to nearly 25% of Mainers, according to federal data.

The state is facing a $118 million MaineCare deficit, and state lawmakers have repeatedly failed to pass a supplemental budget with a two-thirds majority to immediately fill the gap.

The state's MaineCare program is facing a nearly $120 million shortfall over the next six months, which the Mills administration says has forced it to make difficult decisions.

The funding will be administered over the next decade.

Nursing homes across the state are struggling with increased costs and an acute labor shortage.

Maine's Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Hospital Association have reached an agreement to reform reimbursement rates for MaineCare, which provides insurance for 400,000 low-income individuals.

But some testimony urged lawmakers to focus on U.S. citizens before extending access to immigrants.