The mission of Consumers for Affordable Health Care is to advocate for Maine people to be heard, respected, and well-served in a health system that provides coverage, access and quality, affordable care to all.
Our Vision
Our vision is a Maine where all have the right to a healthy and financially secure future that is not threatened by the cost of health care.
Our Values
Are Integrity, Compassion, Equity, Determination, Collaboration, and Pragmatism.
For any and all Mainers
At Consumers for Affordable Health Care, we prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility. We celebrate the richness of Maine’s demographic diversity and welcome all, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, immigration status, gender identity, or marital status. Our commitment extends to advocating for equal access to resources and support for affordable health care for every Mainer and for all Maine communities. We actively seek partnerships and collaborations with diverse organizations and stakeholders to address systemic barriers. Our goals are to improve access to health care, advance the well-being of all Maine residents, and create a more equitable healthcare system.
Celebrating 3.5 decades of protecting consumers and expanding access to health care
CAHC History
1988-1992
Preexisting conditions exclusions eliminated * Rate setting based upon gender and health status eliminated *
1993 - 1997
Guaranteed issue enacted * Fair rules for people in managed care plans, including right to appeal adopted * Toll-free HelpLine made available
1988-2002
Medicaid coverage expanded for children, single adults and couples without children * BC/BS assets put in trust for the people of Maine * Discounted prescription drug coverage, Maine Rx, implemented * Coverage extended to domestic partners
1998-2007
First-in-the-nation subsidized health insurance program, Dirigo Health, adopted * Mental health parity legislation enacted * Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld Dirigo Health
2008 – 2012
Total of 10,000 consumers calls to HelpLine reached * Health Care Bill of Rights enacted * Lifetime and annual caps on coverage eliminated * CAHC designated as Maine Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program
2013 - 2017
Training to over 4,300 people businesses, health care and social service organizations, navigators and assisters, about the Affordable Care Act provided * Coverage for vital medical services for Maine consumers worth over $430,000 obtained
2018
CAHC Celebrates it's 30th Anniversary and Welcome's Ann Woloson as Executive Director
2019 – 2023
Equality Maine “Partnership in Equality award received * Increased prescription drug transparency enacted *
