Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice
Key Discussion Points:
a) On Monday, the Appropriations and Health and human Services Committees heard hours of testimony from numerous organizations and individuals on the potential impacts of the LePage administration’s curtailment order, the supplemental budget for fiscal year 20313 and some reference to the coming biennial budget.
b) DHHS commissioner Mary Mahew outlined the proposed supplemental cuts ate the hearing. These include the elimination of the medically Needy Program for seniors in need, but not yet enrolled in Private Non-Medical Institution services, cuts to the Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled program and continuing curtailment cuts in substance abuse and mental health services.
c)One of the biggest proposed cuts in the supplemental budget is a cap on the amount the state will reimburse municipalities for there General Assistance (GA) distribution. The cap would be $10.2 million for fiscal year 2013.
Guests:
A) public testimonies before the Appropriations and Health and Human Services Committees
B) Sarah Gagne-Holmes, director of Maine Equal Justice Partners