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Episode Description
Community Voices for Change - 30 mins - First Aired August 3, 2026
WMPG-FM. Univ of So. Maine - Weekly - Mondays - 1:00 PM
Producer & Host: Richard Rudolph, PhD.
The show is an interview of James Myall who is a lead policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy. He has recently written a report "Maine Care is helping more Mainers afford health care and strengthening the economy." MaineCare helps nearly 476,00 Mainers pay for health care. It is one of the most effective tools to improve health, reduce medical debt, support working families and bring in billions of dollars into Maine's economy. James pointed out that MaineCare is good value for money and helps the economy. The cost of covering an adult below the age of 65 averages around $8,000 per year for comprehensive coverage without copays or deductibles. It certainly compares favorably to Maine's private individual costs - which is about nine thousand in premiums alone. Unfortunately the next governor of Maine and the state legislature will need to undo Republican cuts that will be made to MaineCare. As many as 31,000 Mainers could lose their Mainecare coverage next year because they are either unable to find steady work or can't provide the right paperwork to prove their employment status. Myall believes the state should hire navigators to help people understand the new changes needed to keep their coverage. As many as 31,000 Mainers could lose their coverage next year because they are either unable to find steady work or can't provide the right paperwork to prove their employment status.
WMPG-FM. Univ of So. Maine - Weekly - Mondays - 1:00 PM
Producer & Host: Richard Rudolph, PhD.
The show is an interview of James Myall who is a lead policy analyst at the Maine Center for Economic Policy. He has recently written a report "Maine Care is helping more Mainers afford health care and strengthening the economy." MaineCare helps nearly 476,00 Mainers pay for health care. It is one of the most effective tools to improve health, reduce medical debt, support working families and bring in billions of dollars into Maine's economy. James pointed out that MaineCare is good value for money and helps the economy. The cost of covering an adult below the age of 65 averages around $8,000 per year for comprehensive coverage without copays or deductibles. It certainly compares favorably to Maine's private individual costs - which is about nine thousand in premiums alone. Unfortunately the next governor of Maine and the state legislature will need to undo Republican cuts that will be made to MaineCare. As many as 31,000 Mainers could lose their Mainecare coverage next year because they are either unable to find steady work or can't provide the right paperwork to prove their employment status. Myall believes the state should hire navigators to help people understand the new changes needed to keep their coverage. As many as 31,000 Mainers could lose their coverage next year because they are either unable to find steady work or can't provide the right paperwork to prove their employment status.