Tell Legislators to Support Health Insurance for Low-Income Mainers

As we reported a month ago, Gov. LePage and other Maine legislators are considering turning down federal funds that would allow more Mainers to have health insurance, as well as jobs in the healthcare industry.

Jennifer Lunden, a Maine activist, writer, and social worker whom we will be profiling soon here on Ability Maine, has sent out the following urgent plea to Mainers to pick up the phone and contact their legislators to demand this federal support to which we are entitled.

— Sharon Wachsler

I just got this message from Maine Equal Justice Partners. Believe it or not, Governor LePage and some legislators are still hedging on whether they will accept federal funds so that more low-income Mainers can be insured. This is really a no-brainer, and we need your help to boost our odds of winning this very important fight for healthcare justice. Please call your legislators ASAP, as this is going to vote tomorrow. The information below makes it easy.

If you don't remember your legislators' names, never fear, you can look them up right here: http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_voter_info

Now pick up the phone and call: Representatives: 1-800-423-2900

Senators:  1-800-423-6900

You can leave a message 24 hours-a-day.

When you call, state:
•    Your name
•    Town that you live in
•    The name of your legislator, and
•    A brief message. For example: "Please support LD 1546. It's good for the health of Maine people, for our hospitals and for our economy."

If you would like to talk with your legislator, be sure to leave your number and the best time for her/him to call you back.  Let's inundate them with messages!

Here's the alert in full, below. And thank you for all you do.

Lunden

We are asking you to please take ONLY 5 minutes of your time today and tomorrow and PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE SENATORS AND HOUSE MEMBERS SO THAT MANY MAINE PEOPLE CAN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. MAINECARE IS ALSO BETTER FOR OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR PHYSICIANS (AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO PRACTICE AND ACCEPT MAINECARE CLIENTS) AS IT IS BETTER THAN CHARITY CARE.
THANK YOU,
SUSAN LAMB, Executive Director
MAINE CHAPTER NASW

Call TODAY!
Tell legislators to
Accept Federal Funds for Health Care

Please act now!  It's fast and easy!      
This afternoon, the Maine Senate voted 20-15 in favor of LD 1546. This bill would allow Maine to accept federal funds to provide health insurance to adults with low income who otherwise can't afford it AND would pay off the State's debt to Maine hospitals.  A second vote will take place tomorrow in the Senate, and then the bill will be sent to the House for a vote.
The time to act is NOW!

Your legislators need to know that you want them to support LD 1546.

   The Legislature and the governor have a great opportunity right now:
•    to change lives,
•    to help families be more secure,
•    to stimulate our economy,
•    to reduce insurance costs for business owners,
•    to create jobs, and most importantly,
•    to save lives.
Your call is VERY important.  

Call your legislators and leave them a message TODAY, or TOMORROW!
Legislators need to know that, like the majority of Mainers (nearly 70%), you think accepting these funds is the smart thing to do. Just a few calls from constituents can make a difference on the outcome of this vote.

Please call the toll-free legislative answering service and leave a message for your legislators today!

Representatives: 1-800-423-2900

Senators:  1-800-423-6900

You can leave a message 24 hours-a-day.

When you call, state:
•    Your name
•    Town that you live in
•    The name of your legislator, and
•    A brief message. For example: "Please support LD 1546. It's good for the health of Maine people, for our hospitals and for our economy."
If you would like to talk with your legislator, be sure to leave your number and the best time for her/him to call you back.

Not sure who your State Legislators are?  Look them up at:http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_voter_info.

Thank you for calling.  Please ask at least one more person to do the same.

For more information, go to: www.mejp.org.yo