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AUGUSTA, MAINE — The Maine Association for Community Service Providers has announced its strong opposition to Question One on the ballot November 6, saying Question One would harm Mainers with disabilities and make it harder for them to access the support they need. In a statement opposing Question One posted to their web site, MACSP points out several serious flaws with Question One:
Question One violates the privacy of Maine people and direct care workers by directing the release of their contact information to its board and anyone who can provide 250 signatures requesting it.
Question One will make it difficult to access current services by creating alternative waitlists which may be required before seeking MaineCare services.
Question One will not eliminate the current waitlist for home and community-based services.
Question One directs its board to “curtail services” and “restrict the total amount of services” when the funds run out, creating more waitlists without matched federal funding.
Question One creates a duplicative healthcare system completely reliant on Maine tax dollars without any Federal match, depriving Maine of two-thirds matched funding through MaineCare.
Question One does not raise wages for direct care workers and creates a duplicative system thereby increasing the direct care workforce shortage for Mainers who need help now.
“The Maine Association for Community Service Providers strongly opposes Question One,” said Lydia Dawson, executive director of MACSP.
“Question One will make it more difficult for Maine people with disabilities to access the support they need by creating more bureaucratic barriers and waitlists. It will violate their privacy rights and, overall, will create more challenges for them to access community-based services. It will harm the people we are committed to helping.”
MACSP joins a large coalition of nearly 40 health care and business organizations opposed to Question One.
For more information on Question One, please visit www.StopTheScamMaine.com.
