In Damariscotta, King Highlights Importance of Healthcare Protections To Maine People Working in High Risk Industries

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) met with Maine people at Lincoln Health Education Center in Damariscotta to highlight the impact of protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions, as well as the importance of community rating, another provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which requires health insurance providers to offer policies within a given territory at the same price to all potential customers. These protections are particularly important to workers involved in the natural resource industries that drive Maine's rural economy; while Maine law does include some protections that would remain in place if the ACA's protections were overturned, it does not prohibit health insurance companies from increasing prices for people based on their occupation, creating increased risks for those working in industries such as fishing, forestry and farming.

"Maine people living with medical conditions should be able to get health insurance at a reasonable price, rather than charged astronomical prices simply because of what they do for a living," said Senator King. "The lobstermen and farmers I met today are a vital part of our state's economy -- we should be supporting them, not allowing health insurance companies to discriminate against them. This isn't a matter of ideology -- it's about keeping our citizens healthy, and supporting Maine workers. I'll keep fighting to defend the health insurance of Maine people, however, whenever, and as strongly as I possibly can."

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