Letter to the Editor

Affordable Care and MaineCare expansion through the eyes of a child

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 6:00pm

Dear Editor:

Politics and fiscal issues have taken center stage in the debate over MaineCare expansion and full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

I would like to address concerns of an often voiceless population: children and adolescents. Where do young people fit into this debate? The non-partisan, authoritative voice for children’s health in our country, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), whose sole mission is to advocate for the “health of all children and adolescents,” has taken a firm stance on this issue. The AAP does not endorse candidates nor support a political party, but they do research, recognize and publicize what is best for young people solely based on merit. The AAP firmly stands behind full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including the acceptance of federal funds to expand state Medicaid programs, including MaineCare.

The Maine Chapter of the AAP strongly endorses expanding MaineCare in the framework of the current legislation. We recognize the importance of covering the roughly 70,000 additional Mainers, including many adolescents and young adults, who would otherwise not receive appropriate preventive care and would need to seek non-emergent care in emergency room settings. We also recognize and fully believe that children in families with health insurance (MaineCare or private) are far more likely to access preventive care than those that are not. We understand that 40 percent of uninsured veterans, and 25 percent of their spouses, often military moms, would gain access to insurance. Finally, we note that the majority of patients who would benefit from the expansion are low income and would not be able to access private insurance.

Approximately one in four children in Maine under the age of 5 currently live in poverty. If MaineCare is not expanded, the effects will surely be most painful for those already struggling. This includes the young adults and grandparents that serve as caretakers/guardians for so many children. If we further burden these families, do we not understand that the stress will be absorbed by these children? Politics aside, with no better plan currently in place, it is simply cruel to our states most vulnerable population to not expand access.

Steve Feder, DO FAAP, FACOP
Edgecomb
President, Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics