Governor Mills Signs Bill to Improve Health Insurance for Maine People and Small Businesses

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has signed The Made for Maine Health Coverage Act to improve private health insurance for Maine people and small businesses. The law – sponsored by House Speaker Sara Gideon and Senate President Troy Jackson on the Governor’s behalf and passed unanimously by the Legislature – makes some of the most common medical visits free or less costly, simplifies shopping for a plan, leverages federal funds to help make premiums more affordable for small businesses, and puts Maine in the driver’s seat to ensure that all Maine people have clear choices for their coverage.

The law takes effect 90 days after the Legislature’s adjournment on June 16, 2020.

“The Legislature’s unanimous endorsement of this law is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Governor Mills. “The spread of COVID-19 has only reinforced the importance of affordable, high-quality health care and the need to ensure that our health care system is tailored to meet the needs of Maine people and small businesses. I am proud of the bipartisan support this law won and thank Democrats and Republicans for working collaboratively with each other and my Administration to enact it.”

“When Gov. Mills, Speaker Gideon and I introduced this legislation back in January, we had no idea the public health crisis that our state and our country would face nearly three months later. But times of instability and uncertainty only underscore the need to make health care more affordable and more accessible for Maine people and small businesses,” said President Jackson. “I’m grateful the legislature acted quickly to get this passed before we adjourned earlier this week. It’s essential to bringing stability, efficiency and affordability to Mainers in the individual and small group health insurance markets.”

"Every single Mainer deserves access to affordable, quality health care," said Speaker Sara Gideon: "The recent public health crisis only increased the urgency of that very real need. We will continue our bipartisan work to improve our healthcare systems in every corner of Maine."

Get more information about The Made for Maine Health Coverage Act.

Governor Mills also signed the following bills into law: