Since 1988, we have worked with our coalition partners to successfully expand health care access to low income adults and children. We have also worked hard to protect consumers from harmful health insurance practices. Below are highlights of some our coalition's legislative victories:

• 2001 Created a new category of Medicaid coverage for low-income adults without children (enrollment begins October 2002). Reduced youth and adult smoking by raising the cigarette tax by 26 cents per pack. Established a commision to develop a plan for single-payer universal health care in Maine. Raised the asset limits in Medicaid for adults and extended eligibility periods for children. Defeated a proposal to scale back insurance protections for consumers.

• 2000 Expanded Medicaid coverage to parents with incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level. Passed the Maine Patients Bill of Rights, granting consumers protections against harmful insurance practices, including the right to sue their HMO for medically harmful decisions. Created the Maine Rx Program to allow the state to lower drug prices for uninsured Mainers.

• 1999 Created the Cub Care program to cover children in families with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

• 1998 Expanded Medicaid coverage to children in families with incomes up to 185% of poverty level; expanded prescription drug coverage for the elderly and disabled; expanded access to dental care under Medicaid for children.

• 1997 Litigated Blue Cross' charitable status resulting in a decision by the Maine Bureau of Insurance that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine is charitable and holds its assets in public trust. The decision preserves an estimated $500 million in public trust. Lobbied passage of legislation establishing a fund to expand health coverage for children in Maine. Worked for passage of managed care regulations (Chapter 850) protecting consumers.

• 1996 Supported passage of the "Health Plan Improvement Act" to protect consumers and providers in managed care plans; Defeated Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine's attempt to convert public charitable assets to private ownership through mutualization; extended "pre-existing condition" ban to cover full period of unemployment.

• 1995 Extended DHS fair hearings to persons denied charity care for hospitals services; extension of Medicaid coverage for up to 3 years to families leaving AFDC to work with incomes up to 185% of poverty.

• 1992/94 Expansion of insurance protections; guaranteed issuance and renewal of policies; and creation of the Maine Health Care Reform Commission.

• 1991 "Community rating" of non-group and small group insurance policies reducing dramatic price variations based on age, sex, and health status.

• 1990 First-in-the-nation ban on "pre-existing condition" exclusions in insurance policies.

• 1989 Creation of the Maine Health Program serving low income adults and children with incomes up to 100% of poverty.

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