Click here for a printable version of the document: Summary of Proposed Budget Cuts and Changes.pdf

From Maine Equal Justice Partners --

On December 6, 2011, the Governor released proposals in a 2012-2013 Supplemental Budget targeting DHHS that would decimate programs and services across the State. Below we have summarized many of these proposals (the summary is long because there are so many proposed cuts).

Proposals in the Supplemental 2012-2013 Budget

(We understand that some of these proposals may change. This preliminary analysis is

based on the language of the printed supplemental budget presented December 6, 2011.)

Proposed Cuts to Eliminate MaineCare Eligibility for Multiple Groups:

Ø Working Parents (21,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of eligibility for

MaineCare for approximately 21,000 parents between 100% and 200% of the federal

poverty level (FPL). (This proposal would also give DHHS the authority to lower parent

coverage to 51% FPL without going back to the Legislature in the future.)

Ø Childless Adults (approximately 18,000 Maine people): The complete elimination

of MaineCare coverage for non-disabled adults between the ages of 21 and 64 without

children living at home living under the federal poverty level (known in the Program as

so-called non-categoricals).

Ø Young Adults (over 7,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of MaineCare

coverage for over 7,000 young adults (age 19 and 20) under 150% of the federal

poverty level.

Proposed Cuts to Medical Assistance for the Elderly and People with Disabilities:

O Prescription Drug and Health Care Assistance for People over 65 and People with

Disabilities: Approximately72,000 seniors and people with disabilities would lose

some or all assistance they currently receive to pay for Medicare and/or prescription

drug costs. Of the 72,000, over 20,000 (with incomes between 135-185% FPL) will lose

all assistance they currently receive through the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to

help pay for Medicare premiums, co-payments and deductibles, prescription drug

costs, and coverage through the so-called "donut hole". The remainder,

approximately 52,000 people, will lose some assistance with Medicare and/or

prescription drug costs.

Ø Prescription Drug Assistance for Certain People over 62 and People with

Disabilities: Approximately 5,000-6,000 low-income older adults (over age 62) and

people with disabilities who do not have Medicare will lose all assistance they

currently receive to afford their prescription medications through the Drugs for the

Elderly program (DEL). These are individuals with serious health conditions such as

diabetes, heart disease and Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Proposed Cuts to MaineCare Services:

Ø Services for all MaineCare adult members: The elimination of a significant number

of services for MaineCare members including the following services:

 Adult Family Care;

 Ambulatory Surgical Center;

 Chiropractic;

 Consumer Attendant Services;

 Dental;

 Occupation Therapy;

 Physical Therapy;

 Podiatry;

 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinics;

 Targeted Case Management; and

 Vision.

Ø Services for Extremely Vulnerable Populations: The closure of all Private Non-

Medical Institutions (residential homes or boarding homes) leaving approximately

6000 people, including seniors and adults with severe and persistent mental illness,

without a place to live and needed personal care services.

Ø Other cuts to MaineCare services including:

 Limit out-patient hospital visits to 15 visits a year regardless of health status;

 Limit in-patient hospital stays to 5 stays a year regardless of health status;

 Limit coverage for brand name prescription drugs from 4 to only 2 per

month; and

 Limit on Suboxone for the treatment of opioid dependency to coverage for a

two-year period.

Proposed Cuts to Services for Children and Families:

Ø Young Children and their Parents: The elimination of all state funding for the Head

Start Program, which will force programs across the state to cut a total of 235 children

off the program. Head Start provides early care and education, as well as health,

nutrition, mental health, social and family support to low-income families with

children from prenatal to five years old.

Ø Working Parents: Cuts almost half of all funding for the Child Care Subsidy

Program. This will lead to a deep cut in the availability of child care vouchers for

families with incomes below 250% FPL. The child care subsidy program helps parents

with low income to afford the child care they need in order to work.

Ø Other cuts to services for children and families including:

 Cut the Family Reunification Program that keeps families intact and housed;

 Cut the funding for Wrap-Around ME that assists children (ages 5-18) with

serious emotional or behavioral issues;

 Cut the Alternative Response Program that provides case management for

 children at risk of abuse or neglect;

 Cut Crisis Services for people experiencing mental health-related crises; and

 Cut services for children with