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All the Spin Cannot Change the Facts: "Dirigo Needs to be Dirigone"
Augusta, Maine — Pat LaMarche said today that the growing number of people without health insurance in Maine is proof that the Dirigo program is "a failure." According to recently released information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Mainers without health insurance rose to 141,000 last year, up from 130,000 the year before.
"They are proposing that we tinker with a broken system. The system is beyond repair. We need a new health care system — one that actually works and provides health care for each and every Mainer and that's exactly what my plan will do." — Pat LaMarche |
Further compounding Maine's health care crisis, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield is requesting a 20% increase in insurance premiums.
"The number of Mainers without health insurance is growing, and it is getting more and more expensive for those who do have insurance. The current governor and his staff can try to spin these numbers as much as they want, but Dirigo clearly isn't working for Maine," said LaMarche.
Dirigo recently ran television commercials touting the "success" of the program. LaMarche called the ads "a misuse of public funds and an abuse of the public trust."
Dirigo recently ran television commercials touting the "success" of the program. |
"These ads are a disgrace — political pandering at its worst," said LaMarche. "How dare they spend public money on advertising when these funds are desperately needed to provide health care for Mainers with nowhere else to turn?"
Dirigo has not provided information about the cost of the advertising despite repeated requests from the LaMarche campaign. On Tuesday, LaMarche will file a Freedom of Access request to find out how much Maine taxpayers paid for the ads.
On September 21st, LaMarche will unveil her universal health care program that will successfully provide health care for all Mainers. The LaMarche plan is based upon the recommendations of numerous Blue Ribbon Commissions that have studied health care in Maine.
LaMarche will file a Freedom of Access request to find out how much Maine taxpayers paid for the ads. |
LaMarche said that recent comments on the health care crisis by the Republican and Democratic candidates demonstrate a lack of vision and leadership. "They are proposing that we tinker with a broken system. The system is beyond repair. We need a new health care system — one that actually works and provides health care for each and every Mainer and that's exactly what my plan will do," said LaMarche.
For more on Pat's healthcare plan, please visit her website
