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As a physician who provided care for women in Western Maine, I fear there is good reason to worry about the health of women of our state, especially in rural Maine. The provisions in the recently passed federal budget bill seriously limited access to care for many Mainers.
Firstly, Maine Family Planning which provides primary care, contraceptive care, cancer screening, and STD treatment has been excluded from the Medicaid program by the recent federal budget bill, which punishes abortion providers in states where abortion is legal and despite the fact that no federal dollars go to abortion care. This will mean that MFP may have to end primary care for Medicaid recipients in Ellsworth, Presque Isle and Houlton next month, threatening some women’s only source of medical care.
Cuts to Medicaid may accelerate the closing of rural maternity units, leaving people without adequate prenatal and postpartum care.
Additionally, the new work requirements for Medicaid will mean that many women and men will be disenrolled, losing coverage for serious illnesses. Ironically, most Medicaid recipients have jobs. But many will be unable to document those jobs in a timely way electronically and will lose coverage.
I believe our congressional delegation must reverse these new laws that endanger people’s health. Reversing the cuts to Medicaid, continuing ACA premium supports, and restoring people’s right to use Medicaid to see the provider they choose are essential and need to be a part of the funding bill in Congress this month.
Connie Adler
Chesterville
