Gov. Mills vetoes bills designed to clamp down on prescription drug price gouging, unsupported price increases
AUGUSTA – Gov. Janet Mills vetoed legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and Sen. Ned Claxton, D-Auburn, that targeted prescription drug price gouging and unsupported price increases for lifesaving medication, on Tuesday. The two measures — LD 1117 and LD 675 — are part of the Making Health Care Work for Maine package, which […]
Emergency insulin program becomes law, key Rx bills remain in limbo
https://youtu.be/jN7es0_u8xo Pres. Jackson speaks in favor of LD 1117 and the Making Health Care Work for Maine before the Senate vote. AUGUSTA — Two bills sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, that sought to improve prescription drug price transparency and create an emergency insulin program, were signed into […]
President Jackson lauds ACA ruling from the Supreme Court
AUGUSTA – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act in a 7-2 decision today. This decision ensures that millions of Americans can continue to rely on the Affordable Care Act for quality, affordable health insurance. Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, released the following statement lauding the Supreme Court’s decisions: “Today, millions of Americans and […]
Senate approves Making Health Care Work for Maine package
The Maine Senate overwhelmingly approved the Making Health Care Work for Maine package put forth by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and the Maine Senate Democrats on Tuesday. The suite of health care and prescription drug reform bills target outrageous health care spending, unsupported and extreme prescription drug price increases, and drug price transparency.
Buy American, Build Maine earns Senate approval
Maine small businesses and the hardworking people who keep them running don’t just drive our economy, they really are a part of our communities. Small business owners sponsor our little league teams, help out with band fundraisers and donate to our community food banks. They are our family members, neighbors and friends. Buy American, Build Maine is about lifting up these workers, businesses and quality-manufactured products in our own backyard. Throughout this pandemic, Maine workers, businesses and manufacturers have stepped up to serve and support our communities in the toughest of circumstances. We owe it to them to have their backs.
Despite attacks from Big Pharma, LDs 1117 and 675 move to the Senate
Big Pharma doesn’t hire just one lobbyist, they hire all the lobbyists. They hire all the law firms. This is their go-to move. These large drug companies want us to be afraid so they can keep making money off the backs of Mainers. Maine people don’t have anywhere left to turn. At the public hearing, we heard deeply personal stories about what happens when Maine people can’t afford their medication. People’s lives are at stake. If we can’t as a Legislature go forward and do something to help constituents, then I don’t know why we’re here.
Pres. Jackson’s universal school meal bill earns bipartisan support in committee
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to reduce student hunger in a vote of 11-2 last week. LD 1679, An Act To Address Student Hunger through Expanding Access to Free School Meals would make School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs available to […]
President Jackson introduces the Kids First Plan
All children deserve a chance to live a healthy, happy and productive life. Where a kid lives or how much their parents make shouldn’t ever prevent them from getting ahead. Yet, too many children go to school hungry regularly. How can we expect them to learn on an empty stomach? If parents don’t have a safe place to drop their kids off to learn while they go to work, how can we expect parents to make ends meet for their families? And if child care workers aren’t supported, how can we expect them to stay open? Things were difficult before the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is no question that this crisis has had an outsized influence on our kids. The Kids First plan makes Maine kids a priority as we work to normalcy. We must ask ourselves what does it mean to truly put our kids first — and then, follow through.
Legislation to increase nursing home funding earns unanimous committee support
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine’s nursing and long-term care facilities have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to their residents and our loved ones. In the most difficult and unrelenting conditions, they continued to provide quality, compassionate and personal care to their residents, finding creative ways to connect residents with their family members. Now, Maine lawmakers must show the same commitment to our nursing homes and the hardworking professionals who work there.
Pres. Jackson releases statement on new COVID-19 guidelines
From day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, our number one goal has been to protect the health and safety of Maine people, and save lives. The plan was always to return to the State House when it was safe for everyone — the public, members of the press, legislative staff, and lawmakers. With today’s announcement, we are looking forward to working with our colleagues to review the new guidelines and finalize plans to eventually reopen the State House.