As pointed out in the June 2 lead editorial, Maine and the country are undergoing an upsurge in sexually transmitted diseases.
Last year, in response to this problem, the Legislature passed L.D. 319 (which became law without the signature of Gov. LePage, who vetoed a similar bill in 2014).
This legislation authorized expanded MaineCare coverage for reproductive health services, including sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment, for parents with income up to 209 percent of the federal poverty level (up from the current ceiling of 105 percent) and, with the same income restriction, for childless adults (a demographic currently not covered by MaineCare).
However, as pointed out in the editorial, “because people who are not eligible for other MaineCare services could meet the requirements for this program, there may be some confusion about who should get the testing and treatment.” To resolve this confusion, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is going to hold a public hearing.
Do we really live in a society in which we have to check income eligibility and hold public hearings in order to decide whether to help poor people, who may not qualify for, or be able to afford, marketplace or other private insurance options, obtain screening and treatment for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and the like?
Apparently so – highlighting this situation as yet one more of the many examples (cancer screening and opioid addiction treatment come to mind) of the flaws in our current patchwork health insurance system. As yet one more of the many reasons why a single-payer system of universal coverage makes so much sense. Everybody in, nobody out. Screen. Treat. Done.
Daniel Bryant, M.D.
Cape Elizabeth
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