Home | The Maine Center for Economic Policy

Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It

Today in Maine, thousands of older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with behavioral health challenges do not receive the personal care and support services they qualify for through state and federal programs. To secure the health of Maine residents and our economic stability, we need bold solutions to the critical problems in our direct care system.

Jobs and Income

State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine’s Workforce

The major challenge facing Maine’s economy is the state’s plateauing workforce. Without increasing the size of the workforce, it is very difficult to maintain a healthy economy, as there are not enough workers to fill new jobs as they are created.

Taxes and Budget

Policy Brief: Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?

Instead of funneling money into unproven tax giveaways, the state should invest funds in programs including housing, child care, and paid leave that will improve economic opportunities for all Mainers, advance equity, and allow people to fully participate in the workforce.

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

MECEP advances equity and prosperity for all Maine people through issue-based analysis, education, and advocacy.

All

Stay up to date

Join our email list to receive key information, in-depth analysis, opportunities for action, and other updates about MECEP’s work.

Our Privacy Policy

Maine Public

Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It

State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine’s Workforce

Policy Brief: Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

Direct File advances tax fairness – Maine should opt in

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

New federal overtime rule will protect an extra 26,000 salaried Maine workers

Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It

Proposed changes to Medicare Savings Program would impact 45,000 older Mainers’ eligibility for health care benefits

In the words of workers: Erin

Survey results show a “broken” health care system in Maine

Poor pay and strained working conditions cause staffing shortages in Maine schools

Student debt cancellation would help working families, improve equity, and expand access to higher education

To help students finish their degrees and ease workforce challenges, Maine should reform transcript withholding

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is broken — let’s fix it

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

5 reasons to be optimistic about Maine’s economy

In the words of workers: Emily

In the words of workers: a.m.k.

Stay up to date

Maine Calling: Long-Term Care

No taxes on tips? What this could mean for Maine

Wednesday Sit-Down: Wage protection changes for workers

Maine Can Now Order Employers to Pay Workers Damages for Missed Wages

Mainers will be able to file federal taxes for free in 2025

Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It

State of Working Maine 2023: Boosting Maine’s Workforce

Policy Brief: Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?

The Maine Center for Economic Policy is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to improving the economic well-being of Mainers with low and moderate income.

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

Direct File advances tax fairness – Maine should opt in

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Farmworker Rights — An Explainer

Guaranteed Income — An Explainer

New federal overtime rule will protect an extra 26,000 salaried Maine workers

Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It

Proposed changes to Medicare Savings Program would impact 45,000 older Mainers’ eligibility for health care benefits

In the words of workers: Erin

Survey results show a “broken” health care system in Maine

Poor pay and strained working conditions cause staffing shortages in Maine schools

Student debt cancellation would help working families, improve equity, and expand access to higher education

To help students finish their degrees and ease workforce challenges, Maine should reform transcript withholding

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is broken — let’s fix it

Undocumented immigrants contribute millions in taxes to Maine

5 reasons to be optimistic about Maine’s economy

In the words of workers: Emily

In the words of workers: a.m.k.

Stay up to date

Maine Calling: Long-Term Care

No taxes on tips? What this could mean for Maine

Wednesday Sit-Down: Wage protection changes for workers

Maine Can Now Order Employers to Pay Workers Damages for Missed Wages

Mainers will be able to file federal taxes for free in 2025

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 

3 reasons why “no tax on tips” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 