News
Portland City Manager proposes 5 percent tax increase to cover employees' health insurance
3+ day, 1+ hour ago (105+ words) PORTLAND (WGME) -- Portland's city manager says taxes are going up to pay for employees" health insurance. She says the $363 million budget cuts 74 positions, reduces services and increases some fees. City Manager Danielle West says she's trying to keep a proposed…...
Gov. Mills signs bill to ban liens, wage garnishments for medical debt
1+ week, 2+ day ago (81+ words) AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME) -- Mainers with medical debt will soon be protected from losing their pay or losing their homes. Governor Janet Mills signed a bill into law on Monday that bans liens on homes and wage garnishments for medical debt....
7 liens against Augusta home care center that suddenly closed
3+ week, 1+ day ago (108+ words) AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME) -- A closed home care business in Augusta owes tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes. According to documents obtained by the CBS13 I-Team, the Kennebec County Registry of Deeds confirms there are seven open liens against Caire…...
Inside Maine's Best Health & Wellness: Rethinking health coverage for small businesses
3+ week, 3+ day ago (269+ words) For many small business owners, navigating health care coverage can feel like an unsolvable puzzle. Steve Leifheit understands that challenge firsthand. His experience as a small business owner led to the creation of The Leifheit Group, a company focused on…...
Maine bill would offer tax relief for some scam victims
4+ week, 2+ day ago (348+ words) AUGUSTA (WGME) -- Maine lawmakers are considering a proposal aimed at helping scam victims avoid what supporters call a "second hit" " a large tax bill on money that's already been stolen. LD 714, would align state tax treatment with existing federal relief…...
Survey: 31 percent of Mainers have $5, 000 or more in medical debt
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (171+ words) MADISON (WGME) -- Nearly a third of Mainers have $5, 000 or more in medical debt, and many are skipping necessary treatments as a result. Consumers for Affordable Healthcare released details from a new survey Thursday about health care affordability and medical debt....
New owner pledges $150 M investment over five years for Central Maine Healthcare upgrades
2+ mon, 7+ hour ago (110+ words) WGME LEWISTON (WGME) " Prime Healthcare Foundation says it is now the parent company of Central Maine Healthcare Also read: Maine House Oversight Committee grills DHHS over improper Medicaid payments Prime Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit based out of California, now controls…...
Dr. Oz sounds alarm as Minnesota welfare fraud scandal triggers nationwide review
2+ mon, 4+ day ago (380+ words) WASHINGTON (TNND) " A massive welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota is drawing renewed scrutiny to other states as federal officials review programs that receive billions in taxpayer dollars, including Medicaid and related services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr....
Bill seeks to expand Maine Care payments for ambulance treatment
2+ mon, 5+ day ago (162+ words) WINTHROP, Maine (WGME) -- A plan to expand Maine Care coverage for treatment in ambulances or by first responders on site. A bill would expand Maine Care reimbursements for ambulance services. Anthony Wilson, the Winslow town manager, says in his town…...
Obamacare enrollment down more than 1 million as coverage becomes more expensive
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (632+ words) (TNND) " Over 1 million fewer people are enrolled in Affordable Care Act health insurance following the expiration of enhanced tax credits that made coverage more affordable. And that's just the first wave of attrition. "There's probably going to be a bunch…...