As we age, we all want to live our lives as fully as we do now. We want to shop for groceries, take an exercise class, volunteer, go to church and generally be part of our communities. And that keeps us healthier as we age.
MaineCare has started supporting more people in this, but it doesn’t cover transportation services that aren’t specifically medical (even if they’re part of someone’s approved care plan). That means some people don’t see the benefits. For example, transportation to exercise classes designed to help older people avoid falls (which can be deadly for some people) isn’t covered under MaineCare.
L.D. 17 will help with that by covering that transportation. It would especially help Mainers living in the most rural parts of the state, where public transportation is very limited. In those areas, if a person doesn’t have reliable transportation, they can’t access services. That creates a disparity based on where people live, and that’s not right.
Helping people stay in their own homes, and their own communities, is best for older people, people with disabilities and all of us.
L.D. 17 will help people stay in their own homes and communities, because that’s where they want to be – that’s where most of us want to be as we get older. We should provide people with the resources they need to be successful, independent, and have the quality of life that we all deserve.
Betsy Sawyer-Manter
president and CEO, SeniorsPlus
Portland
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