Maine governor speaks up for Dirigo Health adjustments

Maine Gov. John Baldacci is urging support for a bill advocates say is needed to shore up the state's troubled Dirigo Health program. The Dirigo Health bill would change the funding mechanism for the program by repealing a savings offset payment that targets insurers and replacing it with a health access surcharge on paid claims. The bill would also establish a reinsurance association for the individual health insurance market without placing individuals in a separate risk association. Additionally, the state superintendent of insurance would be authorized to approve a pilot project to let health insurance carriers offer individual health insurance products for young people under the age of 30.