2015 CAHC in the News - Table of Contents January ...... 2 February ...... 2 March ...... 4 April ...... 4 May ...... 4 June ...... 5 July ...... 6 August ...... 6 September ...... 6 October ...... 7 November ...... 7 December ...... 7
To Do: Emailed to CAHCF BOD__ Posted on CAHC Website__
January January 3, 2015 WAGM8 Television Thousand of Mainers Uninsured; Local Woman Shares her Struggle http://wagmtv.com/thousand-of-mainers-uninsured-local-woman-shares-her-struggle/ 150103_WAGM8_Thousand of Mainers Uninsured_CAHC.pdf
January 04, 2015 Bangor Daily News Charlene Brousseau of Manchester: Sticking with the Affordable Care Act http://bangordailynews.com/2015/01/04/health/charlene-brousseau-of-manchester-sticking-with-the- affordable-care-act/?ref=moreInnation 150104_BDN Health_CBrousseau sticks with ACA_CAHC.pdf
January 11, 2015 Lewiston Sun Journal Editorial Rep. Larry Lockman: Democrats take wrong approach on health care http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2015/01/11/rep-larry-lockman-democrats-take-wrong-approach- health-care/1638967 150111_LSJ_Lockman says dems approach HC wrong_CAHC.pdf
January 22, 2015 WGAN Radio AUDIO FILE interview with Andrea Irwin 150122_WGAN Interview_IRWIN.mp3
February February 1, 2015 New York Times Piling on Work to Escape Gap in Health Law http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/us/piling-on-work-to-escape-gap-in-health-law.html?_r=0 150201_NYT_Piling On Work to Escape Gap in Health Law_BROSTEK.pdf
February 11, 2015 Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinal Letter to the Editor from Representative Gay Grant Still a few days to find insurance through marketplace https://www.centralmaine.com/2015/02/11/still-a-few-days-to-find-insurance-through-marketplace/ 150211_KJ_MS_RepGrant_Letter about ACA deadline_CAHC.pdf
February 11, 2015 VSTV Rockland - Above the fold with Alan Hersey Video Recording of interview with Emily Brostek re: the ACA/Obamacare http://vstv.me/abovethefold.html 150211 Above the fold interview re ACA_BROSTEK.wmv Also uploaded to Facebook https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=784412074946273&theater
150213 Associated Press Clock ticking for Mainers to buy health coverage on exchange http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/13/clock-ticking-for-mainers-to-buy-health-coverage- o/#ixzz3S6Zi2dVa 150213_AP_WASHINGTON TIMES_Ticking Clock_BROSTEK.pdf
150213 Bangor Daily News What could be more romantic than signing up for health insurance? https://bangordailynews.com/2015/02/13/health/more-mainers-enroll-as-obamacare-deadline-nears/ 150213_BDN_What could be more romantic_CAHC.pdf
150213 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Denied an Insurance Claim? Consumers Get Federal Help Under ACA http://news.mpbn.net/post/denied-insurance-claim-consumers-get-federal-help-under-aca 150213_MPBN_Denied an Insurance Claim_IRWIN.pdf
150215 Portland Press Herald Affordable Care Act enrollment puts Maine in rare company http://www.pressherald.com/2015/02/15/affordable-care-act-enrollment-puts-maine-in-rare-company/ 150215_PPH_ACA Enrollment puts ME in rare company_CAHC.pdf
150217 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Maine Senator Seeks Second Chance for Those Facing Health Care Penalty http://news.mpbn.net/post/maine-senator-seeks-second-chance-those-facing-health-care-penalty 150217_MPBN ME Senator Seeks 2nd Chance_BROSTEK.pdf
150218 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Maine Health Care Enrollment Jumps to More than 74 Thousand http://news.mpbn.net/post/maine-health-care-enrollment-jumps-more-74-thousand 150218_MPBN_ME enrollment more than 74k_BROSTEK.pdf
150220 Portland Press Herald Federal government offers more time to buy health plans and avoid IRS penalties http://www.pressherald.com/2015/02/20/federal-government-offers-more-time-to-buy-health-plans-and- avoid-irs-penalties/ 150220_PPH_Feds offer time to buy health plans_BROSTEK.pdf
150220 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Special Enrollment Period for Obamacare Announced http://news.mpbn.net/post/special-enrollment-period-obamacare-announced 150220_SEP Announced_IRWIN.pdf
150224 Portland Press Herald and Kennebec Journal Maine’s uninsured rate dropped in first year of Affordable Care Act, poll shows http://www.pressherald.com/2015/02/24/number-of-mainers-without-health-insurance-plummets-poll-finds/
https://www.centralmaine.com/2015/02/24/number-of-mainers-without-health-insurance-plummets-poll-finds/ 150224_PPH_KJ_Uninsured rate dropped_BROSTEK.pdf
150224 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Rate of Uninsured Mainers Drops Sharply in Wake of ACA http://news.mpbn.net/post/rate-uninsured-mainers-drops-sharply-wake-aca 150224_MPBN_Sharp drop in uninsured rate_BROSTEK.pdf
March 150303 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Court Battle Puts Health Coverage of Tens of Thousands of Mainers at Risk http://news.mpbn.net/post/court-battle-puts-health-coverage-tens-thousands-mainers-risk 150303_MPBN_Court Battle puts Mainers at risk_IRWIN.pdf
150304 Portland Press Herald Health care advocates anxious, LePage administration silent as Supreme Court hears challenge to ACA http://www.pressherald.com/2015/03/04/health-care-advocates-anxious-lepage-administration-silent-as- supreme-court-takes-up-key-case/?utm_source=Headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily 150304_PPH_Supreme Court hears challenge to ACA_IRWIN.pdf
150304 Bangor Daily News Wrong ruling could hurt Mainers, health insurance markets http://bangordailynews.com/2015/03/04/opinion/contributors/wrong-ruling-could-hurt-mainers-health- insurance-markets/ 150304_BDN Opinion_Wrong ruling could hurt_BROSTEK.pdf
150313 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Special health care enrollment period begins March 15. Local organizations helping Mainers sign up http://www.wmtw.com/news/special-health-care-enrollment-period-begins-march-15/31787082 150313_WMTW_Special enrollment opens_CAHC.pdf
150323 Portland Press Herald – OPINION Maine Voices: Ending the Affordable Care Act would be political malpractice http://www.pressherald.com/2015/03/23/maine-voices-ending-the-affordable-care-act-would-be-political- malpractice/ 150323 PPH Opinion_Ending ACA_BROSTEK.pdf
April 150404 Issues that Matter Andrea Irwin speaks with Robert J. Picone re: Cover Maine Now 150404_Issues that Matter_IRWIN.htm
May 150506 Portland Press Herald Editorials Our View: Maine Women missing out on full Obamacare benefits http://www.pressherald.com/2015/05/06/our-view-maine-women-missing-out-on-full-obamacare-benefits/ 150505 PPH Editorial Women missing out on full benefits_CAHC.pdf
150505 West End News Words of Advice: Self-Employed In Need of Health Care http://thewestendnews.com/?p=2560 150505 West End News_Advice for Self-Employed_CAHC.pdf June 150603 Portland Press Herald Mainers’ premiums could skyrocket without ACA subsidies http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/03/health/mainers-premiums-could-skyrocket-without-aca-subsidies/ 150603_BDN_Premiums could skyrocket without subsidies.pdf
150610 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Collins Introduces Fix for Marketplace Plans Should Federal Subsidies Disappear http://news.mpbn.net/post/collins-introduces-fix-marketplace-plans-should-federal-subsidies-disappear 150610_MPBN_Collins Fix should subsidies disappear_BROSTEK.pdf
150625 Bangor Daily News Supreme Court upholds Obamacare tax subsidies http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/25/news/nation/supreme-court-upholds-obamacare-tax-subsidies/ 150625_BDN_Supreme court upholds Obamacare_BROSTEK.pdf
150625 MaineBiz U.S. Supreme Court affirms access to ACA insurance subsidies in Maine http://www.mainebiz.biz/article/20150625/NEWS0101/150629975/us-supreme-court-affirms-access-to-aca- insurance-subsidies-in-maine 150625_MaineBiz_Supreme Court affirms access to subsidies_BROSTEK.pdf
150625 Kennebec Journal / Morning Sentinel Mainers relieved at Obamacare ruling protecting health subsidies http://www.centralmaine.com/2015/06/25/supreme-court-ruling-preserves-obamacare-subsidies/ 150625_KJ MS_Mainers relieved at Obamacare ruling_BROSTEK.pdf
150629 Bangor Daily News Should the Internet pay for your health care? Maine kidney surgery raises ethical quandary http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/29/health/should-the-internet-pay-for-your-health-care-maine-kidney- surgery-raises-ethical-quandary/ 150629_BDN_Christine Royles Kidney GoFundME_BROSTEK.pdf
Here’s a round-up of our recent media activity on the King v Burwell case. Congratulations to all of us – we got some fantastic consumer stories out there, which took a lot of work and follow up.
Stories featuring our consumer contacts:
NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/26/us/measuring-the-success-of-health-insurance-subsidies.html Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel: http://www.centralmaine.com/2015/06/25/supreme-court-ruling-preserves- obamacare-subsidies/ Portland Press Herald: http://www.pressherald.com/2015/06/26/court-ruling-means- 50000-in-maine-avoid-losing-health-care/ AP Wire (for some reason I’m only finding this posted on out of state media outlets so far): http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/06/25/3868451/nearly-61k-mainers-to-keep- health.html BROKEN
Stories featuring a quote from CAHC:
MaineBiz: http://www.mainebiz.biz/article/20150625/NEWS0101/150629975/us-supreme-court-affirms-access- to-aca-insurance-subsidies-in-maine
Reuters: http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/25/news/nation/supreme-court-upholds-obamacare-tax-subsidies/ Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel: http://www.centralmaine.com/2015/06/25/supreme-court-ruling-preserves- obamacare-subsidies/
Other activity:
Spoke at the start of Maine Calling (recording not up yet – not sure if it will include my remarks once it is): http://news.mpbn.net/post/maine-calling-book-club-kill-mockingbird-harper-lee WRONG LINK?
Provided data and background info to Sun Journal: (NEED SUBSCRIPTION) http://www.sunjournal.com/news/nation/0001/11/30/supreme-court-upholds-obamacare-subsidies-60000- mainers/1732797
July 150723 Portland Press Herald Mainers will see modest increases in ACA health insurance premiums next year http://www.pressherald.com/2015/07/23/mainers-will-see-slight-increase-in-affordable-care-act-health-insurance-costs/ 150723_PPH_Premium increases expected in 2016_BROSTEK.pdf
150724 WMTW Television Anthem, Cigna merger to expand largest health care insurer in Maine http://www.wmtw.com/health/anthem-cigna-merger-to-create-largest-health-care-insurer-in-maine/34340726 150724_WMTW_Anthem Cigna Merger_BROSTEK.pdf
August 150811 Portland Press Herald Maine’s uninsured rate drops but remains highest in New England, poll shows http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/10/health-insurance-rate-maine-improves-many-still-go-without-polls-shows/ 150811_PPH_ME Uninsured rate drops, remains highest in NE_BROSTEK.pdf
150813 Families USA Blog How to Help Assisters Thrive in Local Communities http://familiesusa.org/blog/2015/08/how-help-assisters-thrive-local-communities 150813 FUSA Blog_Helping Assisters Thrive_CAHC.pdf
150827 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Minor Increases, and Some Decreases for ACA Plans in Maine http://news.mpbn.net/post/minor-increases-and-some-decreases-aca-plans-maine 150827_MPBN_ACA Plan changes_BROSTEK.pdf
September 150915 Portland Press Herald Mainers to see steep increases for ‘grandfathered’ individual health plans http://www.pressherald.com/2015/09/15/consumers-will-see-steep-increases-for-grandfathered-individual-health- plans/comments/ 150915_PPH_Grandfathered plan increases_BROSTEK.pdf
150921 Mainebiz ACA employer mandate moves full steam ahead http://www.mainebiz.biz/article/20150921/CURRENTEDITION/309169991/1088 150921_Mainebiz_ACA Employer Mandate_BROSTEK.pdf
150924 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Advocates: Health Insurance Eligibility for Maine Kids 'Not a Very Clear Process' http://news.mpbn.net/post/advocates-health-insurance-eligibility-maine-kids-not-very-clear-process 150924_MPBN_Covering Maine Kids_BROSTEK.pdf
October 151007 Portland Press Herald – Opinion Our View: Kids falling through cracks in MaineCare coverage http://www.pressherald.com/2015/10/07/our-view-kids-falling-through-cracks-in-mainecare-coverage/ 151007_PPH Opinion_Kids falling through MC cracks_BROSTEK.pdf
151012 Sun Journal State team ready to help Verso workers http://www.sunjournal.com/news/franklin/2015/10/12/state-team-ready-help-verso-workers-jay/1799374 151012_LSJ_State team ready to help Verso workers in Jay_CAHC.pdf
151020 Portland Press Herald Insurers competing for Maine’s Affordable Care Act customers http://www.pressherald.com/2015/10/20/insurers-competing-for-maines-affordable-care-act-customers/ 151020_PPH_Insurers competing for ACA customers_BROSTEK.pdf
151031 Portland Press Herald New Maine website gives patients tools to compare hospital costs http://www.pressherald.com/2015/10/31/new-website-gives-patients-tools-to-compare-hospital-costs/ 151031 PPH website gives hospital cost comparison tool_BROSTEK.pdf
November
December 151201 Portland Press Herald Mainers spent more last year, but with their usual frugality, new federal figures show http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/01/mainers-spent-more-in-2014-than-in-previous-year/ 151201 PPH Mainers Spend More_BROSTEK.pdf
151209 Maine Public Broadcasting Network Lawmakers: DHHS Broke Law in Terminating Contract with Health Care Nonprofit http://news.mpbn.net/post/lawmakers-dhhs-broke-law-terminating-contract-health-care-nonprofit 151209 MPBN_DHHS broke law_BROSTEK.pdf
151209 Bangor Daily News Bluster and big fights hide LePage’s day-to-day misdeeds http://davidfarmer.bangordailynews.com/2015/12/09/republicans/bluster-and-big-fights-hide-lepages-day-to-day-misdeeds/ 151209 BDN_DFarmer Blog_LePage's misdeeds_CAHC.pdf
151209 WGME Television DHHS's decision to end contract with Consumers for Affordable Health Care upsets lawmakers http://www.wgme.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/dhhss-decision-end-contract-consumers-affordable-health-care- upsets-lawmakers-30376.shtml#.Vmsy8b9Gy3g 151209 WGME press event coverage.wmv
151209 WABI Television Lawmakers Protest DHHS Decision http://wabi.tv/2015/12/09/lawmakers-protest-dhhs-decision/ 151209 WABI press coverage.wmv
151211 Portland Press Herald Maine Voices: DHHS action threatens health insurance advocacy group http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/11/maine-voices-dhhs-action-threatens-health-insurance-advocacy-group/ 151211 PPH Opinion Vachon Hymanson DHHS.pdf
151215 Portland Press Herald Health care enrollment still growing in Maine, officials say http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/15/health-care-enrollment-still-growing-in-maine-officials-say/ 151215 PPH_enrollment still growing_BROSTEK.pdf