Given the magnitude of the challenges that continue to face our state and country as we battle our way out of a terrible recession, the fate of 500 people — isolated, poor, elderly and disabled — doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

In October, about 500 legal immigrants, mostly living in Portland and Lewiston, lost their health insurance coverage, which had been provided through MaineCare.

The change in law affects lawful permanent residents who haven’t had that status for at least five years, as well as asylum seekers who have a pending application with the federal government.

Just like refugees, many of these folks have escaped atrocities in their own country or faced persecution based on their race, religion or political beliefs.

Now they are being singled out again.

With this change in state law, we are forcing people who are fleeing oppression to once again accept less than the full and equal treatment we would demand of our government if these individuals were our parents or grandparents, sisters or brothers.

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These individuals are Maine residents living here permanently. They are here in the country legally.

The only thing that sets them apart is that they weren’t born in the United States and they have not yet met the new arbitrary waiting period to qualify for coverage.

While the decision to eliminate health insurance coverage was sold as a way to save money by Gov. Paul LePage, that will not be the end result. 

This insensitive change in the law merely shifts and hides costs, while leaving 500 people in our communities at risk of reduced access to health care.

All of these individuals are poor, and many are elderly, disabled or frail. 

Many have serious health care needs, and in many cases, the community supports that do exist are unable to meet their serious health care needs when they become uninsured. 

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The cost will fall back on the state either way.  

This new law arbitrarily picks certain Maine people — legal residents — and treats them differently.  Such policy goes against Maine’s values of inclusion and community support.

But perhaps, even more distressing, the policy doesn’t really accomplish its stated goal, which is to reduce costs.

While the money to pay for MaineCare for 500 people is removed from the state budget, the need for medical care doesn’t disappear.

It is shifted onto communities and health care providers such as clinics and hospitals.

Instead of receiving assistance through MaineCare, which has cost controls and a focus on preventative care, they are forced to rely upon emergency rooms, where the cost of care is the highest.

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MaineCare is far from perfect.

In most cases, providers are not adequately compensated for the true costs of providing medical care.

But the program does provide a basic and predictable level of care for many people who struggle on the economic edge.

That is why this proposal makes so little economic sense.

While the cut may affect a relatively small population, these individuals are already at risk, as they are some of the most vulnerable people living in our communities.

Many must learn a new language and culture and adjust to life in a very different world from which they are accustomed. 

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Some have left behind serious atrocities and have brought with them the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress. 

And some of these individuals have physical scars in addition to managing chronic health conditions.

For those with serious health care needs, the impact of the lost coverage could shorten the length and quality of their lives.

There are many competing needs for state support, and many families — immigrant and native alike — are struggling to find work, to provide for their children and to maintain health insurance.

But taking coverage away from one small group of people doesn’t help anyone else, and it doesn’t really save money.

Instead, it divides people living in Maine into “us” and “them,” with one group deemed less deserving of basic support and care.

These cuts are unfair, ineffective and should be reversed.

Carrie Frost, M.D., practices at Portland Community Health Center. Lou Jacobs is a doctor of chiropractic at Jacobs Chiropractic Acupuncture in Portland.


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