MaineMaine would fund Marketplace premium help and reinsurance
Maine Marketplace residents would get state premium help under income-based rules, and the state would provide ongoing funding for a health insurance reinsurance program.
What it does
Marketplace residents previously eligible for federal subsidies would receive increased state premium help. Residents at or above 400% of the poverty level would qualify only when their benchmark premium exceeds 8.5% of household income.
The state would provide $40 million in ongoing funding to support the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association's program.
Argument forMarketplace customers could receive state help with premiums after federal tax credits expire, while reinsurance funding may support the coverage market.
Argument againstResidents above 400% of the poverty level could still receive help only when premiums exceed the stated income threshold, leaving others without this subsidy.
More detail
The Department of Health and Human Services would set up a state subsidy to offset the end of enhanced federal premium tax credits. It would help Maine Health Insurance Marketplace residents previously eligible for federal Affordable Care Act subsidies. Residents with incomes at or above 400% of the federal poverty level would qualify only if the second-lowest-cost silver plan premium before the subsidy exceeds 8.5% of monthly household income. The subsidy would be funded through state appropriations or other listed contributions, allocations, transfers, or bond proceeds. No start date for the subsidy is stated.
The state would provide $40 million in ongoing funding to the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association. The money would support the Association's reinsurance program. The appropriation is listed for fiscal year 2026–27.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Became Law
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)Died
- Apr 8On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
- Apr 8Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 8PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Apr 7Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-987) in concurrence.Minor
- Vote recorded ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded acc otp-am by ca "a". Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Committee Amendment "A" (H-987) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 7READ ONCEMinor
- Apr 7Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 902 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0
- Apr 7On motion by Senator BAILEY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-987) Report ACCEPTED.
- Apr 7Reports READ.
- Apr 7Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 7The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-987).Minor
- Apr 7Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Apr 7Committee Amendment "A" (H-987) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 7The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 7(Yeas 77 - Nays 70 - Absent 3 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)
- Apr 7ROLL CALL NO. 738
- Apr 7On motion of Representative MATHIESON of Kittery, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Apr 7Reports READ.
- Apr 6Reported Out - OTP-AM/OTP-AM
- Mar 12Voted - Divided Report
- Mar 12Work Session Held
- Mar 4Work Session Held - TABLED
- Feb 10The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES in concurrenceMinor
- Feb 10Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Feb 10The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.Minor
- Feb 10Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
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