Welcome to Change That Works Maine

Welcome to Maine Change That Works! We're a nonprofit organization working for progressive change right here in the Pine Tree State.  We believe Mainers, like all Americans, want action that revives our failing economy and leaves it stronger for the future. This is the place to keep up-to-date with our latest activities on health reform and other issues important to working people in Maine.
 
Featured Action: 

Maine v. Anthem
“Two Days to Fight for Health Care Justice”

Overview

Last year, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Maine asked for an 18% rate hike for certain individual policyholders.  These policies, generally known to provide only “catastrophic coverage” are for some of Maine's hardest working people (small business owners, folks working two or three part time jobs) are all that stand in the way of financial ruin. Maine’s Superintendent of Insurance denied that request and instead granted Anthem a 10.9% rate increase. That wasn’t enough for Anthem! They decided file a lawsuit against the state of Maine to ensure a guaranteed profit at a time when many Mainers are struggling just to make ends meet. And, even before that case has been heard, Anthem announced that it is requesting an additional 23% rate increase on the same policyholders. Wellpoint, Anthem’s parent company, made $2.7 billion dollars just in the 4th quarter of 2009, yet they are now asking Mainers to pay even more. 

Maine Change that Works, the Maine People’s Alliance, MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 and their partnering organizations are calling for a two-day mobilization (the night before the courthouse hearing and on the morning of the hearing) to demand Anthem stop its abusive practices and to call on Congress to act quickly in passing health care reform. 

Intinerary and Descriptions of Actions:

March 18th – Rally & March 

      4pm - Faith Service

            People of faith and faith leaders converge at a nearby place of worship (TBD) for an ecumenical sermon on our health care crisis as the great domestic moral issue of our times.  At the conclusion, participants march together meet up with the larger rally at 5pm.

      5pm - Rally

            800+ people gather in the park outside the Courthouse. Music playing until 5:30, followed by speakers (TBD). Live TV News feed.  Chanting, an interfaith prayer, lighting of 800 candles. 

      6pm - March

            Depart from park with each region/group leaving separately, and marching a route that encircles the Courthouse entirely.  

      7pm – Bean Supper

            After the rally, people are welcome to come celebrate the first day of action with a bean supper at TBD location, probably a church basement nearby. Speakers (TBD) to include a policy expert, elected official, and health care story teller.

            8:30pm – Supporter Housing

                        Those traveling to Portland will have the opportunity to stay overnight through supporter housing coordinatd through Maine CTW in anticipation of the following day's court case.

March 19th – Pack the Courthouse

      8am – Meet at the Courthouse

            Activists meet at the courthouse, coordinate for morning of activities. Send 100 people into the courthouse, keep the rest outside with signs, chanting.

      9am – Church Bells Action

            At 9am, church bells around the state ring their bells twelve times to symbolize the person who dies every twelve minutes in the United States due to lack of health coverage. At 9am, we will have different activists ring a large bell outside the courthouse every twelve minutes until 10am to have a visual of the larger faith action.

For more information contact:

Caitlin Corrigan, 207-232-5986
caitlin.corrigan@changethatworks.net