Bill > LD842

This bill expands healthcare coverage for noncitizen residents in Maine by creating new eligibility pathways for MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) and Maine Rx Plus Program. Specifically, the bill provides Maine Rx Plus Program coverage for noncitizen residents with low incomes who have cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes and are currently ineligible for federal Medicaid due to immigration status. For MaineCare, the bill extends coverage to noncitizen residents aged 21 and older who either would qualify for Supplemental Security Income if not for their immigration status, or have a diagnosis of cancer, organ failure, or type 1 diabetes. The bill mandates that these expansions be implemented using state funds starting July 1, 2026, and allows the state to seek federal matching funds when possible. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a stakeholder group to review emergency Medicaid programs and make recommendations for improving coverage, including potentially expanding the types of emergency medical conditions covered. The stakeholder group will include representatives from community organizations, legal experts, and the Medicaid ombudsman program, with the goal of adopting new rules to expand emergency MaineCare services by July 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=842&snum=132