Dear Editor:

The number one concern for Maine legislators should be reducing the costs of health insurance premiums for Maine citizens. If we could bring our costs in line with some of the other states we would probably not be facing the 225 million dollar budget deficit we presently face and the true threat of reducing services to those truly in need.  Furthermore, our policymakers should be very concerned that the State is currently carrying a 4.8 billion dollar unfunded obligation for health insurance premiums for retired state employees.  A fund was started to address this issue by Angus King in 1999 however that fund is now empty having been spent on the supplemental budget in 2004.  This alone shows poor fiscal management.

The level of health insurance benefits received by state employees is the fifth highest in the country, while the monthly cost for a family plan for those employees financed by the taxpayers is the third highest in the country.  It is clear that our policy makers need to consider the over taxed citizens struggling to meet their own needs and ask that all state employees pick up more of their own benefits.

Instead of following the example of other states who have more affordable plans, in some cases up to 30% lower than the cost of a family plan in Maine, the Democrat majority has continued to vote to funnel millions of dollars into the failed Dirigo Health Plan all the while voting down plans that would lower costs to all citizens seeking to purchase health insurance.

There is hope for Maine citizens to lower the cost of their health insurance, but it won't happen unless everyone gets involved.  Representative Mike Vaughn has introduced LD-1047. An Act to Lower the Cost of Health Insurance.  The reform measures in this bill are based on working models from states where insurance costs are a fraction of the cost that Mainers pay.  This bill would drive down the cost of insurance in this state leaving citizens more money in their own pockets as well as more money in the government coffers to be invested in all Maine citizens.  Please call your legislator and ask they vote yes on LD-1047.

Sincerely,

Beth A. O'Connor
Berwick, Maine