Helping constituents throughout Maine

By U.S. Sen. Susan Collins
(R-Maine)
    What do you do when you need medication to treat a life-threatening illness, but Medicare denies your claim? Imagine the frustration you would endure if the Social Security Administration suspended your benefits after someone fraudulently stole your identity.
    How do you explain to an immovable Internal Revenue Service that it’s impossible to have earned income from a state in which you’ve never lived, worked, or even visited?
    It’s as simple as the old phrase: you write your Member of Congress. Of course, these days you can also phone, fax, or e-mail. Each year, dedicated staff members in each of my six state offices offer personal assistance to thousands of Mainers who encounter problems like those I have described, and I’m very proud of their hard work. They understand how frustrating it can be for people to try to navigate the often muddy waters of federal regulations.
    Over the last year, my state staff has been able to help many Mainers, one person at a time, in their dealings with various federal agencies. A 70-year old woman from southern Maine contacted my Portland office because she was being denied the federal retirement benefits that she had earned. Her attempts to correct the error were futile. She provided my staff with the proper paperwork, and we were able to determine that the Office of Personnel Management in Washington, D.C. had erred. Our inquiry with this federal agency resulted in the woman finally receiving her proper benefits.
    In another case, the family of Henry Morrill of Bingham contacted my Augusta office for help in obtaining medals that this veteran had earned, but never received, while fighting in the Pacific during World War II. After some time, lots of fact checking, and many phone calls, my staff was able to successfully secure Mr. Morrill’s medals. It was an honor to meet him earlier this year and present him with the medals he earned defending freedom 65 years ago.
    Staff in my Aroostook County office, where residents often have to travel far from home to receive proper health care, was able to expedite the paperwork process, and cut through bureaucratic red tape, to help two local hospitals obtain permission to hire three foreign-born doctors to help provide care for local residents.
    My state office staffers are an important liaison between federal agencies and the people of our state. They understand the cares and concerns of the local areas in which they work because that’s where they live, and they have the expertise to investigate and resolve problems.
    My website, http://www.collins.senate.gov, has more information on my state offices and some of the frequently requested help my office provides. You can also sign up for my weekly e-newsletter to stay up to date on issues that affect you. You are always welcome to contact me or to walk into any of my state offices where my staff will be glad to greet you. The address for the Aroostook County Office is 25 Sweden Street, Suite A, Caribou, ME 04736. The phone number is 493-7873.
    I hope you’ll contact my staff with your concerns in the year ahead. They’re talented, compassionate people who are available to help you. It may seem strange to think of asking one arm of the government to help clear up a problem with another, but it’s important to remember why we’re here — to serve the people of Maine.