PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — About 200 people turned out for the second of three conferences sponsored by the Aroostook Agency on Aging to address concerns over Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed cuts to MaineCare — the consensus of the group was to maintain services to the elderly and disabled, with participants asking elected officials to do more to curtail abuse of MaineCare programs.
The event, held Dec. 28 at Northern Maine Community College, followed Tuesday’s gathering in Fort Kent that found Gov. LePage at odds with those in attendance. The governor did not attend Wednesday’s session in Presque Isle, sending a representative, Katrin Teel, to take notes on his behalf. A third meeting was held in Houlton on Thursday. Elected officials were in attendance at all three gatherings, as were members of Occupy Aroostook — with the group chanting “Listen, listen, listen to the people” outside and members participating in discussions at all three venues.
Ken Phelps, president of the AAA Board of Directors, opened the meeting, welcoming those present. Steve Farnham, director of the organization, introduced the local representatives who attended the forum. Taking part were: Representatives Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell), Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou), Mike Willette (R-Presque Isle), Alex Willette (R-Mapleton), Tyler Clark (R-Easton) and John Martin (D-Eagle Lake) and Sen. Roger Sherman (R-Houlton).
Under the governor’s proposed budget, MaineCare reductions would be made by dropping thousands of childless adults from the program, eliminates drug program initiatives and private non-medical institution (PNMI) services. These cuts, according to Gov. LePage, are necessary to address the major shortfall the state is faced with.
Ayotte assured the audience that “people will be taken care of” and that it wasn’t “rocket science.”
“The state can’t afford to insure those who are able to have an employer or themselves pay medical insurance,” added Ayotte. “No one deserving will be put on the streets. We want money left over for PNMI’s.”
Sherman asked citizens to “have some faith in what the governor said and some faith the Appropriations people will do their magic.”
“It’s not fun and games for any of us. I have personal involvement — family members involved with waiver homes,” said Sherman.
Edgecomb said he “wanted to hear concerns.” He indicated state officials were struggling with where to make the cuts.
“Eighty-two percent of the budget in Maine is spent on two departments, DHHS and education. The Appropriations Committee suggested taking equally from each. I’m against that. Aroostook County schools and rural Maine receives this money — it’s a large part of their budgets,” said Edgecomb, noting poorer communities that receive a higher percentage of these funds would be hardest hit if cuts were made.
“If we cut 10 percent from someone who’s a high receiver, we’ll see a loss of teachers, cuts in programs — whereby wealthier areas won’t be affected,” Edgecomb said.
Mike Willette said he was “holding government to the campaign promise to not cut programs affecting the elderly.”
His son, Alex Willette, spoke next, stressing the importance of County citizens having their voices heard.
“When it comes to County issues, don’t let parties get in the way,” he said. “Every document is a working document. No one will be thrown out in the cold.”
Clark indicated the governor’s budget was “a work in progress.”
“Everyone on the Appropriations Committee agrees we can’t just shut down PNMI’s. We can’t let them down,” said Clark, “but the people who can work and support themselves, we need to target them. But those who can’t work, we will work to protect.”
Martin thanked Farnham for organizing the meetings, noting he understood it would be nearly impossible for most people to attend such events in Augusta.
“This is a perfect opportunity for you to talk to us,” said Martin. “Keep in mind, the sky is not falling. We have close to $40 million in the rainy day fund. If we get to where we don’t have money, we could take from there — not that I want to.”
Martin said the governor didn’t have much time to put together budget changes.
“What happened as a result, not enough money was put in to pay for some of these things. Then the feds hit us for paybacks that we have no choice,” said Martin. “Figures are higher than they need to be. I don’t think the shortfall is as high as we’ve been told.”
Martin said part of the problem is people going “doctor shopping” and taking children to ERs instead of the family doctor. He indicated one problem is welfare cheaters and that the state had 4,000 requests for investigations in the past year, with 2,000 still in the process. “We’ve convicted about 16.”
“If people suspect fraud, call Augustan and it will be investigated,” he said.
A number of citizens shared their concerns with the panel, with many focusing on the issue of welfare fraud.
Dave Hanson, of Fort Fairfield, spoke of young people having more babies in order to stay on programs rather than work or those who receive benefits, yet are out there working on the side.
“Report them. Some keep having babies — can’t work because they’re pregnant,” said Hanson. “We give money to all these people who are stealing from us.”
Rose Allen, administrator of Southern Acres, a PNMI in Westfield, said tenants at her facility are scared.
“We have 30 residents. They’ve been listening to the news. They’re asking me what will happen to them. I try to tell them there’s somewhere for all of them. We’re the lowest-paid boarding home in the state,” said Allen. “The federal government is spending money on the study of birds’ sex life. What about our elderly?”
Alice Bolstridge, a retiree who’s a member of Occupy Aroostook, asked the panel how familiar they were with Maine All Care.
“It was a bill last spring. Did you read it and do comparisons? The bill is paid for, it’s simple. All those with health care problems would be covered,” said Bolstridge.
Martin said he supported the concept but the influence of insurance companies factors into such discussions.
“Insurance companies and agents don’t support. They carry more weight than people,” he said.
Clark said he didn’t read the bill but doesn’t support universal health care.
Discussion continued, as participants questioned how fraud would be addressed and ways to resolve the budget shortfall without affecting senior citizens and the disabled — with the panel taking comments into consideration for future discussion on the issues once they get back to Augusta.
“I don’t think the budget as presently before us will pass. It will be a budget of adjustments that will pass. I hope you will support it.”
Farnham, in closing, said, “If we can’t agree on anything else, we can agree they (elected officials) face some hard choices and tough decisions.”
