Or let your legislators know what you think about this bill by contacting them.  Find their cotact information here: http://maine.gov/legis/house/townlist.htm

• High Risk Pools allow older people and adults and children with pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes and cancer to be segregated into separate insurance groups (pools).  They would then have to pay even more than everyone else and get less coverage. 
  
• This bill removes important consumer protections that help to ensure security, stability, equity, and fairness in Maine's health care system.  (Gauranteed issue, renewal and community rating protections would be destroyed)
  
• This dangerous proposal would allow private insurance companies to rate Maine people based on their health status.
  
• This bill is a step backward for Maine.This bill takes away choice.  Insurance carriers would be allowed to deny coverage based on a health problem.  Then the only option the person would have is an expensive, low-benefit High Risk Pool plan.
  
• High Risk Pools do not reduce the cost of care.  High Risk Pools just allow the risk and cost to be shifted from the insurance company onto the backs of Maine people and taxpayers. 
  
• Across the nation, states had to make up more than $722 million dollars in shortfall or 41.67% of the cost of High Risk Pools according to 2006 data. At a time when everyone is fighting to make ends meet, we can't afford to subsidize the for profit health insurance industry.
  
• High Risk Pools will not meet our needs.  We need to control costs and provide guaranteed quality, affordable coverage for all people in Maine.  High Risk Pools do not do that.