AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation Friday that would require MaineCare, the state's Medicaid plan, to provide coverage for children under 7 years of age.
LD 200 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide MaineCare coverage to children under 7 that are not covered by an employer-sponsored or private health plan, regardless of the family's income.
"Currently, about 4% of Maine children are uninsured," said Madigan. "This is one area we can improve upon as a state. The lack of health insurance for children puts them at risk for serious health issues because they cannot access preventative care. This bill will help to make sure that children get that preventative care."
"As anyone with children knows, the first few years of their lives are filled with frequent doctor's visits to monitor their growth and development and a schedule of routine immunizations designed to protect them against many dangerous communicable diseases," said Joe Anderson, pediatrician and board member of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Insurance coverage during this period is essential to promoting a future of health and wellness."
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Madigan is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents House District 64, which includes parts of Waterville and Winslow. She serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Madigan], c. 305-965-2744