Bryant
Brothers propose option to change Dirigo Health insurance
carriers Legislation includes ability for state to create
its own non-profit
AUGUSTA-Seeking out more options for the future of
Dirigo Health, the Bryant Brothers, Sen. Bruce Bryant,
D-Oxford County, and Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham,
proposed legislation Tuesday before the Insurance
and Financial Services Committee that would allow
the Dirigo Health Board of Directors to cancel or
not renew a contract with an insurance carrier.
"Dirigo belongs to the people of Maine, not a
big insurance company," said Rep. Mark Bryant,
the bill's sponsor. "We need to have other options
in place to ensure Dirigo can continue to succeed."
Besides allowing the Board to change carriers or create
its own carrier, the bill would also allow the state
to create its own insurance program and continue coverage
for existing Dirigo members during the transition.
"The key to this bill is continuous coverage,"
said Sen. Bruce Bryant, lead Senate sponsor. "If
a change is made, now or in the future, Dirigo enrollees
will not have to worry about interruptions in coverage."
More than 9,000 Maine people and small businesses
are currently enrolled in Dirigo Health. According
to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Maine is one of only
seven states to reduce its number of uninsured people
between 2000 and 2004.
A work session on LD 1845, An Act to Increase Access
to Health Insurance Products, will be held at 1 p.m.
on Thursday before the Insurance and Financial Services
Committee in Room 427 of the State House.
