Legislative Democrats failed this week to secure a $120 million supplemental spending bill — thanks largely to Republicans in the Senate opposing the latest version of the MaineCare bailout package.
At the same time, Democratic lawmakers in the House and the Senate also rejected a handful of mild welfare reforms and other cost-saving measures Republicans offered that would make voting for the emergency bill more palatable for GOP elected officials.
Here’s a brief look at the amendments Democratic lawmakers killed:
Paid Family and Medical Leave Premiums (Rep. Boyer, R-Poland):
This amendment required state employees, including those in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, to pay their share of premiums for the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program. The state would only be responsible for these payments once it received approval for a private plan, shifting the financial burden onto employees in the interim.
Housing Assistance Limits (Rep. Ducharme, R-Madison):
Under this amendment, municipal housing assistance would be restricted to a maximum of three months within a 12-month period, a significant reduction from the previous nine-month cap. Exceptions would be made only for emergency shelters and temporary housing. Additionally, municipalities would be barred from exceeding assistance caps for more than 30 days per year when providing aid for housing in hotels, motels, and similar lodging.
MaineCare Enrollment Freeze for Able-Bodied Adults (Rep. Ducharme, R-Madison):
This amendment directed the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to request a federal waiver to freeze new enrollments in MaineCare for able-bodied, childless adults. The department would then be required to gradually reduce enrollment for this population by 10 percent, at which point the lower level would become a permanent cap. The measure aimed to limit Medicaid expansion and curb state spending on healthcare for individuals without dependents.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Essential Support Workers (Sen. Moore, R-Washington):
This amendment required DHHS to seek federal approval to implement a 1.95 percent cost-of-living adjustment for essential support workers’ reimbursement rates during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The increase would be retroactive to the date approved by federal authorities, ensuring that healthcare providers receive a wage adjustment to keep up with inflation.
Work Requirements for MaineCare Recipients (Rep. Ducharme, R-Madison):
The amendment introduced a work or community engagement requirement for MaineCare recipients aged 19 to 64 who have no dependents and no documented disabilities. Under the proposal, these individuals would be required to complete at least 20 hours per week of employment, job training, or volunteer work at an approved nonprofit organization. DHHS would be responsible for reviewing and verifying compliance at least once every four months.
Repeal of Free Community College Tuition (Rep. Libby, R-Auburn):
This amendment sought to eliminate the free tuition program for Maine community colleges, which had provided financial assistance to qualifying students. The repeal would remove the state-funded benefit entirely, effectively rolling back a recent initiative aimed at expanding access to higher education.
Restrictions on Free Tuition to Maine High School Graduates (Rep. Boyer, R-Poland):
This amendment modified the existing free tuition program for Maine community colleges by restricting eligibility to students who graduated from a Maine high school. Previously, students who had obtained an equivalent diploma outside the state could qualify; under the new language, only in-state high school graduates would be eligible.
Employer Participation in Paid Family and Medical Leave (Rep. Libby, R-Auburn):
Under this amendment, employer participation in Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program would become optional rather than mandatory. The change would allow businesses to decide whether to contribute to the state program, potentially reducing the number of employees eligible for paid leave benefits.
Housing Assistance Limits (Sen. Stewart, R-Aroostook):
A Senate version of the housing assistance amendment mirrored the House proposal, restricting municipal housing assistance to a maximum of three months within a 12-month period and capping hotel and motel aid at 30 days per year. These limitations aimed to reduce the financial burden on municipalities providing emergency housing.
Work Requirements for MaineCare (Sen. Stewart, R-Aroostook):
This Senate amendment replicated the House proposal requiring MaineCare recipients between the ages of 19 and 64, without dependents or disabilities, to complete 20 hours per week of work, job training, or volunteer service. Compliance would be verified every four months, and exemptions would be granted for those who are pregnant or undergoing medical treatment.
MaineCare Enrollment Freeze (Sen. Stewart, R-Aroostook):
The Senate version of this amendment matched the House proposal to seek federal approval for freezing and gradually reducing MaineCare enrollment for able-bodied, childless adults. If approved, new enrollments would be halted, and existing enrollment would be cut by 10 percent before being capped at the new lower level. The measure aimed to control Medicaid costs and reduce the number of non-disabled, childless adults relying on state healthcare assistance.
