The endless debate regarding the merits of the Dirigo Health Plan is distracting us from implementing true market based reforms for health insurance. Politicians in Augusta continue to “hem and haw” on how they can fix Dirigo. Unfortunately, their indecisiveness is hurting the people and businesses of Maine. The Dirigo Health Plan has failed to accomplish its goals and should be repealed.
There are many solutions available to lower the cost of health insurance that are completely ignored in Augusta. As Governor, I will embrace solutions that have worked in other states to lower the cost of health insurance. For example, we must encourage competition in the marketplace to lower costs. Enacting legislation to allow individuals and businesses to purchase insurance over state lines is a critical first step. Supporting tort reform legislation at the state and federal level to reign in trial lawyers will help as well. I also support tax credits to individuals and businesses to assist in purchasing health insurance.
Finally, Maine is a small state, and our economy cannot afford a health care system that is saddled with Cadillac mandates. It is time for the politicians in Augusta to stop dictating health care policy through social engineering. Let’s reform insurance mandates to federally established guidelines and allow Maine people to purchase coverage that makes sense for their individual and family needs.
