Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights (POWER, Maine) www.povertyontrial.org

*Updates*Updates*Updates*
This is where we post recent updates & news related to POWER & issues related to our mission & our community. If you'd like to sign up for POWER's email updates, click here.

Poetry, Poverty, Blues:
Eight Poets, & a Blues Band
(Pat Colwell & the Soul Sensations)
"...because somebody's got to tell it like it is."
Saturday, Oct. 13, 3:00 - 6:30 p.m.
1st Parish Unitarian Universalist Church:
425 Congress Street, Portland, Maine
(Just down from Merrill Auditorium)

Free Admission (Donations are gladly and gratefully accepted)
Refreshments Provided

Presented by Maine Equal Justice Partners: www.mejp.org
For more information call: 626-7058, Ext. 206
Download a flyer: www.mejp.org/PDF/poetry_poverty_blues.pdf

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Whose House? Our House!
Working Together to Create Change!
Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods Annual Conference
Friday, October 19th, 2012, 8:15am - 4:00pm
State House, Augusta, Maine
For more information, please contact: MAIN's Leadership Team at
(207) 370-5554 (Please leave a message and someone will return your call),
or visit MAIN's website: www.peacebreadjustice.org.

REGISTER ONLINE | MORE DETAILS [pdf] | DOWNLOAD FLYER [pdf] |

This is a gathering of people who want to work with Mainers living on low income
to have a voice on public policy concerns to make life better for all Maine people.
MAIN members and those interested in becoming members are welcome to attend.

* Conference fee $0 to $20, more or less, whatever fits your budget
* On-site child care - you must register by October 10th
* Lunch provided
* Travel and child care reimbursement for those who need it

Share your experiences.
Suggest ways to make things better.
Be a part of the change you want to see!
TANF, Food supplement, MaineCare, Childcare, General Assistance, Transportation
AND MORE!

Call to register: (207) 370-5554 or register on-line: www.mejp.org/conference_registration_2012/index_html

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Stand up for Maine people!
Stand up against unnecessary &
devastating budget cuts!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 9:30am
State House, Augusta, Maine
If you have questions, call Maine Equal Justice Partners (toll free) at 1-866-626-7059.

This past Thursday, May 10th, Republican legislators released details of a supplemental budget they negotiated with the Governor. This budget makes devastating cuts to seniors, children and other vulnerable Mainers.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE JOIN US IN TAKING A STAND
AGAINST THESE AWFUL CUTS:

RIGHT NOW: Contact your legislators to urge them to vote NO on the majority budget next Tuesday, May 15th, 2012. To find out who your legislator is and their contact info, go to the Maine.gov Voter Lookup Website www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_voter_info. Fill out your address and town. When the next page pops up, click on elected official tab and that will give you phone number and e-mail for your legislators. Send a quick, short e-mail or call your legislator.
TUESDAY, MAY 15th, 2012, at 9:30 AM: Come to the State House in Augusta to show your opposition to these budget proposals. We need to let lawmakers know that Maine people oppose these irresponsible budget cuts.

The following list provides some of the most damaging and irresponsible initiatives.

Cuts that will harm seniors and people with disabilities:

Cuts the Drugs for the Elderly Program (DEL) that helps seniors and people with disabilities afford their prescription drugs by eliminating eligibility for people between 175-185% FPL of the poverty level. These are individuals with serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and Lou Gehrig's disease.
Cuts the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that helps seniors and people with disabilities pay for prescription drugs and health care costs; this cut will eliminate all help paying for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums; payments for co-insurance and deductibles; and support through the donut hole for people between 175-185% FPL. This cut combined with the cut to DEL above will eliminate help for 1,850 people.
This cut will eliminate help paying for Medicare Part A and B deductibles and co-insurance for 3,799 people between 140-150% FPL. These costs can add up to over $1,300 a year plus 20% of all non-hospital services.

Cuts that will harm low-income children and families:

Eliminates MaineCare coverage for another 14,500 low-income working parents (those with income between 100-133% FPL). As part of a compromise earlier this session, the legislature already voted to eliminate coverage for 14,000 working parents between 133-200% FPL. This would double the amount of parents who will have coverage stripped from them and targets parents who are struggling with even fewer resources.
Cuts to many programs supported by the Fund for a Healthy Maine, including:
Cuts $2M of funding for Head Start, which means that 216 very young children will no longer have access to Head Start and the vital supports it provides to these children and their families. Head Start is an investment in these children's future, as it provides early care and education, as well as health, nutrition, mental health, social and family supports;
Cuts nearly $2M of funding for the Child Care Subsidy Program. This will lead to a deep cut in the availability of child care vouchers for families with incomes below 250% FPL and will negatively impact 1,400 children. The child care subsidy program helps parents with low income to afford the child care they need in order to work;
Eliminates funding ($2.6 M) for the Maine Families Home Visiting Program, which will eliminate vital services for Maine's most vulnerable infants and children. Approximately 750 families will lose services focused on family substance abuse, domestic violence, prevention of abusive head trauma, and the health and safety of children;
Eliminates funding ($401,430) for Family Planning; and
Eliminates $300,000 for dental services for people with low incomes and no other source of dental help.

Cuts that will harm low-income young adults:

The complete elimination of MaineCare coverage for 7,000 young adults (19 and 20 year olds) who are under 150% of the poverty level. Although most uninsured young adults work full-time, employment is typically in low-wage jobs, for small firms, and in industries where employer-sponsored insurance is less likely to be provided. As a result, low-income young adults have little financial ability to purchase health coverage and are far more likely to be uninsured than other age groups. This proposal will increase Maine's uninsured rolls by over 7,000 people.

PLEASE STAND UP AGAINST THESE BUDGET CUTS & MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD:
Lawmakers in Augusta need to know that cuts to these vital programs will have a devastating impact and
are inexcusable!

If you have any questions please contact Maine Equal Justice Partners TOLL FREE: 1-866-626-7069.

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Coalition Calls for Independent Investigation of DHHS Computer Record Foul-Up before Further Cuts to MaineCare

March 7, 2012
*PORTLAND* – The Maine Can Do Better Coalition today called upon the Legislature to immediately launch an investigation into serious Department of Health and Human Services computer records errors going back more than 14 months but revealed to lawmakers only yesterday. "At the same time that the administration has pushed relentlessly to take health insurance away from people, lawmakers remained in the dark about serious computer errors that failed to identify more than 19,000 people receiving MaineCare coverage despite their ineligibility," said Ben Dudley, the executive director of Engage Maine and a Member of the Maine Can Do Better Coalition. "The members of our coalition are calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the Department of Health and Human Services management of its computer records before the Legislature makes any further cuts that would deny MaineCare coverage to eligible Mainers." According to reports in the Bangor Daily News, DHHS was aware of a computer problem all of last year, and Commissioner Mary Mayhew became aware of the problem in January while the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee worked to balance a budget based on numbers that the administration knew were wrong but did not share the information with the Legislature.

"During negotiations this year, the LePage administration was unable to answer some of the most basic questions about the budget," Dudley said.

"Lawmakers cannot make responsible budget decisions if they do not have all the information," said Eliza Townsend, executive director of the Maine Women's Lobby. "The state budget should include effective programs that serve our most vulnerable citizens, and it must be based on complete and accurate figures."

Since taking office, the LePage administration has removed many of the key experts within DHHS who would have had the experience to spot irregularities in billing and eligibility before the problem grew into a crisis.

"When you fire or force out the people who understand complex systems like MaineCare, this is what happens. Mismanagement and errors not only hurt the bottom line but also put Maine people who need medical care at risk unnecessarily," Dudley said.

Gov. LePage ran for office on the themes of transparency and accountability. Since taking office, he has sought to exempt information from his office from public disclosure, has refused to answer questions from the Legislature and the press, and has relied upon Republicans in the Legislature to push through extreme proposals without adequately addressing concerns.

"Even today, as work on the state budget for next year continues, we still do not know the extent of the problems within DHHS, despite radical changes that have already been passed that will shift costs to communities, property taxpayers and those with private insurance," said Sara Gagne-Holmes.

Maine Can Do Better is calling on the Legislature to seek an expedited, independent review of DHHS and the Governor's Office to determine the scope of the problem and when the governor and key staff learned of the problem.

"This is a serious breach of trust, transparency and accountability. The Legislature must take seriously its responsibility to oversee the activities of the Executive Branch," Dudley said. "The Legislature must address this serious lapse in program management as soon as possible. Otherwise, there is no legitimate way to find appropriate policy solutions for the challenges facing our state. "

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Oppose cuts to basic human needs!
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY!!! Each & every call is extremely important! It's up to US to tell our elected officials that we, the People of the State of Maine, OPPOSE these draconian cuts to our social safety net! Call your representatives & senators today & tell them to vote NO!

To find your legislators' contact information, go to: www.congress.org. Type your zip code into the space in the right hand column (underneath where it says "Get Involved"). Follow directions from there. It's very user friendly.

For more information and/or updates about the cuts: www.mejp.org

THE TIME IS NOW! Please pick up the phone & make a call to help save our social programs!

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18th Annual Changing Maine Gathering
“Visions and Strategies for the Occupy Movement in Maine"
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 9:00am-4:30pm (Snow date: January 29)
Randall Student Center, U/Maine, Augusta
For more information, please call Larry Dansinger: 525-7776.

Why this day to examine the Occupy Movement?
These are unprecedented times. We’re in the midst of an awakening
of People Power, a speaking out, an uprising of actions. There’s a
paradigm shift going on, a cultural change—thanks to Arab Spring and
now the Occupy Movement.
Occupation campaigns in Portland, Augusta, and Bangor and support
groups and actions in all corners of Maine have brought new optimism
to those who have worked for months, years, or decades to promote
democracy and economic and social equality locally, statewide, and
beyond. Rarely have movements caught on as the Occupy Movement has,
not only with activists but also with the public and the media.
Concepts like People Power, “We are the 99%,” democratic and
consensus-based decision-making, the physical occupation of
government-owned land, nonviolent action as a foundation, and
strategies that focus on transforming our society are unique and
exciting.
The Occupy Movement has experienced camp closures, but its potential
is still huge. How can we utilize the Occupy Movement to help create
a vision and a strategy for social change in Maine?

Goals for the Day
This day-long gathering is NOT intended for decision-making (altho
agreements are encouraged/helpful) but primarily for brainstorming,
networking, information exchange, and broadening the potential for
the Occupy Movement in Maine. This includes encampments in Portland,
Bangor, and Augusta and support groups/actions in other parts of Maine.

Some questions that will likely be addressed:
*Why have people joined Occupy?
*Are there historical precedents for our current occupation actions?
*How can we use Occupy to build a long-term movement for change?
*What are or might be some goals for the Occupy Movement?
*What are OUR hopes and visions?
*What are strategies Occupy campaigns can use to achieve our goals?
*Should we renew 24/7 occupations?
*Should some Occupy actions be coordinated statewide or regionally?
*How can we work with other groups to achieve our goals?
*How can different Occupy groups stay in contact with each other?
(Thanks to UMA and Women, Work and Community for arranging the space)

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Rally Against Devestating DHHS Cuts!!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at 10:00am
Hall of Flags, State House, Augusta, Maine
For more information visit www.mejp.org
Unprecedented DHHS Budget Cuts Would Devastate Working Families, the Elderly, People with Disabilities and Maine Communities
*DHHS: Department of Health and Human Services

Yesterday the Governor released proposals in a 2012-2013 Supplemental Budget targeting DHHS that would decimate programs and services across the State. Below we have summarized many of these proposals (the summary is long because there are so many proposed cuts).

PLEASE JOIN US TO OPPOSE THESE DEVASTATING CUTS:
RALLY to Collectively Stand up in Opposition to these Proposals:
When: Wednesday, December 14th at 10:00 am
Where: Hall of Flags, at the State House in Augusta
Public Hearings are scheduled for next week as well: Wednesday, December 14th, Thursday, December 15th and probably Friday, December 16th. (We will share more details on the hearings once we have them. See www.mejp.org for updates) These will take place in Room 228 at the State House in Augusta.

Proposals in the Supplemental 2012-2013 Budget
(We understand that some of these proposals may change. This preliminary analysis is based on the language of the printed supplemental budget presented December 6, 2011.)

Proposed Cuts to Eliminate MaineCare Eligibility for Multiple Groups:
Working Parents (21,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of eligibility for MaineCare for approximately 21,000 parents between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). (This proposal would also give DHHS the authority to lower parent coverage to 51% FPL without going back to the Legislature in the future.)
Childless Adults (approximately 18,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of MaineCare coverage for non-disabled adults between the ages of 21 and 64 without children living at home living under the federal poverty level (known in the Program as so-called non-categoricals).
Young Adults (over 7,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of MaineCare coverage for over 7,000 young adults (age 19 and 20) under 150% of the federal poverty level.

Proposed Cuts to Medical Assistance for the Elderly and People with Disabilities

Prescription Drug and Health Care Assistance for People over 65 and People with Disabilities: Approximately 72,000 seniors and people with disabilities would lose some or all assistance they currently receive to pay for Medicare and/or prescription drug costs. Of the 72,000, over 20,000 (with incomes between 135-185% FPL) will lose all assistance they currently receive through the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to help pay for Medicare premiums, co-payments and deductibles, prescription drug costs, and coverage through the so-called "donut hole". The remainder, approximately 52,000 people, will lose some assistance with Medicare and/or prescription drug costs.
Prescription Drug Assistance for Certain People over 62 and People with Disabilities: Approximately 5,000-6,000 low-income older adults (over age 62) and people with disabilities who do not have Medicare will lose all assistance they currently receive to afford their prescription medications through the Drugs for the Elderly program (DEL). These are individuals with serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Proposed Cuts to MaineCare Services

Services for all MaineCare adult members: The elimination of a significant number of services for MaineCare members including the following services:

Adult Family Care;
Ambulatory Surgical Center;
Chiropractic;
Consumer Attendant Services;
Dental;
Occupation Therapy;
Physical Therapy;
Podiatry;
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinics;
Targeted Case Management; and
Vision.

Services for Extremely Vulnerable Populations: The closure of all Private Non-Medical Institutions (residential homes or boarding homes) leaving approximately 6000 people, including seniors and adults with severe and persistent mental illness, without a place to live and needed personal care services.
Other cuts to MaineCare services including:

Limit out-patient hospital visits to 15 visits a year regardless of health status;
Limit in-patient hospital stays to 5 stays a year regardless of health status;
Limit coverage for brand name prescription drugs from 4 to only 2 per month; and
Limit on Suboxone for the treatment of opioid dependency to coverage for a two-year period.

Proposed Cuts to Services for Children and Families

Young Children and their Parents: The elimination of all state funding for the Head Start Program, which will force programs across the state to cut a total of 235 children off the program. Head Start provides early care and education, as well as health, nutrition, mental health, social and family support to low-income families with children from prenatal to five years old.
Working Parents: Cuts almost half of all funding for the Child Care Subsidy Program. This will lead to a deep cut in the availability of child care vouchers for families with incomes below 250% FPL. The child care subsidy program helps parents with low income to afford the child care they need in order to work.
Other cuts to services for children and families including:

Cut the Family Reunification Program that keeps families intact and housed;
Cut the funding for Wrap-Around ME that assists children (ages 5-18) with serious emotional or behavioral issues;
Cut the Alternative Response Program that provides case management for children at risk of abuse or neglect;
Cut Crisis Services for people experiencing mental health-related crises; and
Cut services for children with serious emotional or behavioral issues living in residential settings.

www.mejp.org

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Special Announcement:
New Changing Maine Directory!
This announcement comes to us from our friends at Resources for Organizing & Social Change.

NOW AVAILABLE: The sixth (2009) edition of the Changing Maine Directory is available on the web at www.changingmaine.org and in print form as a 180-page directory. It is an incredible resource, listing nearly 1,500 grassroots social action and social service organizations throughout the state in 34 different categories. The print directory is available for $12 (postpaid) from Resources for Organizing and Social Change (ROSC), 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951. You can order one or more copies by sending a check (sorry, no credit cards) made out to ROSC to the above address. For questions, call Larry Dansinger at (207)525-7776. The information is also compiled on the internet at the www.changingmaine.org web address.

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Special Announcement:
Stay connected with the local movement to end poverty!
This announcement comes to us from our friends at the Maine Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coaltion, of which POWER is a member organization.

For more information and/or to learn how to join the Maine PPEHRC, please
visit www.peacebreadjustice.org, or contact Larry Dansinger: 207-525-7776.
The website link above is for Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods,
where you will find a page devoted to the Maine PPEHRC, that contains a newly
updated mission statement for the Maine PPEHRC & a newly updated Bill of
Economic Human Rights.

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POWER in the News!
> Council Seeks to Determine Effects of Poverty - MPR's Maine Things Considered --02/28/2009
> Home Heating & the Economy - MPBN's Maine Watch --11/21/08
> No Country for Cold Men - Joe Public Films --11/08/08
> Poverty symposium targets 'chronic' symptom: hunger - Kennebec Journal --10/28/08
> Economic Symposium - WABI TV5 News Desk --10/28/08
> POWER member speaks at Maine Poverty Symposium - Joe Public Films -- 10/27/08
> Healthcare Truth Commission Coverage -- WMPG's Sound Ecology [ listen ] -- 06/11/08
> Healthcare Truth Commission! -- MAIN Update, p.9 -- 06/2008
> New Maine Housing Commissioner: Nikki McLean! -- MAIN Update, p.9 -- 06/2008

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Healthcare Truth Commission a HUGE success!!
June 10, 2008 at Community Public Access, 516 Congress St, Portland, ME
...more details... | more about healthcare justice | healthcare survey
> Healthcare Truth Commission Coverage -- WMPG's Sound Ecology [ listen ] -- 06/11/08
"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking & inhumane."
--Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The stories we shared and witnessed at this Healthcare Truth Commission were nothing short of incredible....Thanks to those brave individuals who dared enough to stand up and speak their truth, those of us who dared enough to listen learned exactly why this injustice must end.....By the end of the evening there was not a heart among us left untouched, nor a soul left unstirred. READ MORE...

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Check out some of our latest video projects:
POWER's Healthcare Crisis Video

Larger screen | Watch movie on YouTube | Visit POWER's YouTube channel | ( TOP )
Produced by POWER's Video Committee; features the song Healthcare Justice!, written &
performed by Colette Washington (www.GuaranteedHealthcare.org)

Other recently created POWER video pieces:
--Public Forum on Healthcare Justice!
--Demonstration for Healthcare Justice!
--National Housing Action Workshop at the US Social Forum!
--World Health Day Demonstration!
--Economic Human Rights Truth Commission!

Join us as we work together to build a local movement to end poverty:
BECOME A POWER MEMBER TODAY!

"There are millions of poor people in this country who have very little,
or even nothing, to lose. If they can be helped to take action together,
they will do so with a freedom and a power that will be a new
and unsettling force in our complacent national life."

-- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1967
Black and white photo portrait of Dr. King

Black and white photo portrait of Dr. King