Occupy Aroostook to protest proposed health care cuts
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Members of Occupy Aroostook plan to be on hand to protest Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget that includes reducing the cost of the MaineCare (Medicaid) program, during a meeting scheduled today at the Gathering Place on Davis Street.
“On Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 12:30 p.m., Occupy Aroostook will occupy The Gathering Senior Center, outside, at 33 Davis St., Presque Isle, to demonstrate against Gov. LePage’s proposed supplemental budget that affects vulnerable seniors and the disabled,” said Alice Bolstridge, organizer of the group.
Bolstridge said she and fellow OA members feel it is important to show support and defend the rights of the sick and elderly who will be negatively impacted, should the cuts go through.
“According to facts published in the Star-Herald on Dec. 21, this budget proposal threatens to close care facilities for sick and elderly people, require more than 4,000 across the state to find other residential care and put many of these residents at risk of homelessness. The proposed elimination in the budget of the Low Cost Drug Program for seniors and disabled would affect 72,000 people statewide and 7,600 consumers in Aroostook County,” said Bolstridge.
“Also, the budget proposes to remove the Medicare Buy-In Program that helps pay for Medicare co-pays and deductibles for all seniors with monthly incomes greater than $1,225 for one and greater than $1,655 for two (people),” continued Bolstridge.
Following the demonstration, OA members will attend the meeting at 1 p.m. inside, where state representatives and LePage are scheduled to speak about these issues.
Occupy Aroostook supports health care justice and equality for all citizens as a human right, according to Bolstridge.
“Until we pass Maine AllCare legislation (www.maineallcare.org), we must protect our most vulnerable citizens from further erosion of health care quality and access,” said Bolstridge.
