Mar 13, 2024 | News
When dealing with health insurance, have you ever said to yourself, “this doesn’t seem fair” or, “wait, this can’t be right?” Have you ever had a loved one tell you they don’t know which coverage choice is best for them? Or wondered how we can change health care policy to make a difference in helping our communities to thrive? To help with all those quandaries and more, Consumers for Affordable Health Care is an amazing resource.
Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC) is a Maine nonprofit that helps consumers with questions and challenges related to their healthcare coverage, advocates for more equitable and person-centered health care policy, and works to improve health equity. For individuals and families, CAHC staff provide counseling to educate Mainers about MaineCare and ACA Marketplace plans. Last year, CAHC fielded over 7,200 calls with questions about health coverage. For people who need assistance applying for health insurance, CAHC staff helps consumers with assembling the documentation for MaineCare coverage or enrolling in Marketplace coverage through CoverME.gov. CAHC can also assist with complaints and appeals related to private insurance. For more information on all the consumer assistance CAHC provides, visit here.
CAHC also has staff dedicated to health policy work who are deeply committed to making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all. They have recently been involved with multiple policy issues, including: participating on a task force that recently released recommendations to address hospital facility fees that increase patient bills; advocating for more affordable prescription drugs; and pressing for “All Means All” MaineCare coverage, which would make coverage available to all eligible people living in Maine, regardless of immigration status. To date, advocacy has been successful in ensuring that all pregnant Mainers and children are covered, regardless of citizenship. CAHC has also been working in partnership with Maine Access Immigrant Network and New Mainers Public Health Initiative to reduce barriers many face accessing Free Care at Maine hospitals.
Consumers for Affordable Health Care is an unsung hero in Maine’s health and wellness sector. While progress has been made in Maine, there is more to be done to improve access to health care and coverage in our society. We are grateful to CAHC for their passionate and tireless work on this front. I encourage you to tell a friend about CAHC, and to stay in touch with all their work!
Mar 4, 2024 | News
What a great start to 2024 here at MaineShare! So far this year, we have been planning exciting updates and expansions to MaineShare, we have spent time in collaboration about organizational culture at Maine Initiatives, and we held our first quarterly meeting of the MaineShare Advisory Council. And recently, we were so thrilled and honored to have been the recipient of a fundraiser at MaineHousing, whose staff team raised $693 for MaineShare! I invite you to keep reading to learn lots more news and updates!
Jan 31, 2024 | News
The New Year has arrived with joy and wonder at MaineShare. We are so grateful for the ways we could support the community in 2023, and are looking creatively and thoughtfully at the ways we can grow in 2024. This month, we are distributing $133,114.21 in funds to our legacy organizations to support their tremendous community impact. We invite you to learn more about updates from MaineShare and our partner organizations– Read on here!
Jan 17, 2024 | News
Maine is a community full of workers, in all different sectors, supporting their families, and keeping our neighborhoods afloat. But if they are experiencing challenges, who is there to support them?
Southern Maine Workers’ Center (SMWC) is an invaluable resource in our community who provide movement building, advocacy for, and education to the working class in Maine. They are a grassroots, member-led organization whose compass points toward human rights , and who work tirelessly to improve the lives of our working neighbors. They particularly work to support the least valued and the least protected classes.
Recently, SMWC has been turning inward, strategic planning and developing their team since a leadership transition. It is important that in their efforts and activities, progress toward positive social change is being made, and they are thoughtful and deliberate in their work. Most recently, they held a wage empowerment workshop, educating workers about wage theft, how to self-advocate and empower each other.
In the new year, SMWC will be focusing on care workers, a key group of our workforce who are essential to our daily lives, yet whom don’t receive the protections and working conditions to thrive. The Workers’ Center will be learning about their challenges, and strategizing to unify this sector around a campaign to invest in care resources and divest from harmful institutions,. They are part of Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, an international coalition involved in similar efforts. They also are collaborating with Tender Table on their Radical Nourishment Series which strive to increase nature- based skills and connection to the land for persons of color in Maine, and deepen the power that BIPOC organizers need to survive and transform the conditions we are rooted in. To learn more about SMWC and keep up with their news and events, visit Southern Maine Workers’ Center or follow them at @maineworkers.
Jan 2, 2024 | News
For many of us here in Maine, the end of 2023 is coming with twists and turns. Mainers are resilient, however, and Mainers take care of each other. And I still feel the joy of the season surrounding, even in these times of challenge. Our MaineShare members also bring care, resilience, and joy to our communities. I remain so grateful to be even a small part of their work. I encourage you to read on today for some updates from them– Read on here.
Nov 29, 2023 | News
During this time of giving and gratitude, I would be remiss to not thank YOU- our MaineShare community. Our MaineShare community has raised unrestricted funds to make our member organizations more sustainable and adaptable in meeting the needs of their communities. You have increased awareness of the incredible work done by our groups to make Maine more just, vibrant, and equitable. You have allowed groups the opportunity to build relationships, empowering each other and sharing knowledge and resources. But of course, the work is not over! Learn more about our plans for growth and hear what our groups have been up to- Read on here!