Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy Census data shows most Mainers ahead compared to pre-pandemic — but poorest still struggling At a glance: Between 2019 and 2023, Maine’s median household income rose 5% to nearly $74,000, while the bottom 20% saw a 1% drop to just over […] James Myall Posted September 17, 2024 Tags Economic Security, Health Care, Incomes, Minimum Wage, Poverty, Wages
Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy STATEMENT: New census data shows most Mainers ahead compared to pre-pandemic — but poorest Mainers still struggling New data released today by the US Census Bureau shows inflation-adjusted incomes in Maine rising faster than the national average. The number of Mainers without health insurance […] Posted September 12, 2024 Tags Economic Security, Health Care, Incomes, Job Quality, Poverty, Wages
Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy STATEMENT: New census data underscores how federal and state programs boost income and reduce poverty for Mainers Data on income, health insurance coverage, and poverty are available here. “Families are seeing the benefits of a strong economy and rising wages, especially in rural areas,” […] Posted September 10, 2024 Tags Health Care, Incomes, Poverty
Health Care, Jobs and Income Closing the Gap: Maine’s Direct Care Shortage and Solutions to Fix It Download the PDF version full report Summary Stories Today in Maine, thousands of older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with behavioral health challenges do not receive […] Arthur Phillips Posted June 17, 2024 Tags Caregiving, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Employment, Health Care, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Taxes and Budget Unfunded bills are unfinished work The legislature has passed a supplemental budget, but its work for this year remains far from done. Both legislative chambers have approved dozens of bills and they […] James Myall Posted April 24, 2024 Tags Child Care, Direct Care Work, Education, Health Care, Higher Education, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Overtime, Racial Equity, Wages
Health Care, Taxes and Budget Maine Legislature preserves expansion of Medicare Savings Programs The Legislature approved the supplemental budget early Thursday morning, and it now heads to Gov. Janet Mills, who is expected to sign it. By refusing to roll […] Portland Press Herald Posted April 18, 2024 Tags Budget, Health Care, Medicare
Health Care, Taxes and Budget Mills administration wants to roll back law expanding financial support for older Mainers The Maine Center for Economic Policy, a left-leaning research organization, estimates about 45,000 Mainers who would have been eligible to receive thousands of dollars per year would […] Portland Press Herald Posted March 5, 2024 Tags Budget, Health Care, Medicare
Health Care Proposed changes to Medicare Savings Program would impact 45,000 older Mainers’ eligibility for health care benefits Last year, Governor Mills signed a budget into law that expanded eligibility to the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), a profound investment in helping older Mainers pay for […] Arthur Phillips Posted February 29, 2024 Tags Health Care, Medicare, Seniors
Health Care, Jobs and Income, Maine’s Economy In the words of workers: Erin Erin shared her story as part of MECEP’s State of Working Maine 2023 report. Click here to read the full report. Erin is a nurse with 22 […] MECEP Posted December 11, 2023 Tags Health Care, Higher Education, Job Quality, Jobs, Stories, Wages
Jobs and Income Statewide initiative recruits employers to combat substance use disorder with innovative workplace program The MECEP/ACLU reported in 2022 that the cost of incarcerating an SUD offender in state prison for one year is twice as much as it would cost to […] The Maine Monitor Posted December 9, 2023 Tags Health Care