ANSWER: Contact Representative Lloyd “Skip” Herrick, R-Paris, at his home phone 207-514-0414 or by email at skip.herrick@legislature.maine.gov. You can also leave a message for him on the State House message phone at 1-800-423-2900. Herrick represents District 73 which includes Buckfield, Hebron and Paris.
The state of Maine has detailed information available online about how a bill is drafted, introduced, referred to a committee, committee action, how it is reported to the floor, a second reading at which time floor amendment may be offered, a second chamber reading and possible amendments which send the bill back to the first chamber for a vote on the changes or to a conference committee to work out a compromise, then to the Governor and how a bill becomes law 90 days after the end of the legislative session in which it was passed.
In the opening paragraph about Maine’s path of legislation: “While the Maine legislator performs a number of different tasks, the legislative function is essentially that of proposing, considering and enacting laws. Each year, Maine’s legislators consider hundreds of ideas for state laws.
“The process by which an idea becomes a law is a complicated one, involving many steps. It is designed to prevent hasty or uninformed decisions on matters that can affect the lives of every Maine citizen. Although the process may seem confusing at first, rules and procedures clearly define the steps that apply to every bill.” You can review the process at www.state.me.us/legis/path/path.htm/.
Sun Spots suggests you contact Herrick.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: My husband will be retiring this fall. He will be getting Medicare, but I will need to get health insurance. I have no idea how to do this. Do I have to get Obamacare? Is enrollment for this year closed? Can I get insurance somewhere else?
I have been asking around and no one knows the answer. I would appreciate any help you can provide. — No Name, Lisbon.
ANSWER: There are multiple health plans available under Obamacare in Maine. Some of the factors that determine how much your health plan will cost include the level of coverage you select, your age, the city you live in, and whether you are a smoker. Some people can apply for coverage any time of the year. This includes people with “major life changes” and people who qualify for MaineCare, according to information supplied by Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Maine’s Consumers for Affordable Health Care has set up a HelpLine at 1-800-965-7476 to answer your questions.
For information that may help you understand the Affordable Care Act, visit http://www.ptla.org/understanding-affordable-care-act/.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any individuals or organizations in this area who are interested in German language books? I have several boxes of books, eclectic titles from art, history, politics, classics, novels, children’s stories — you name it. I would like to see them enjoyed rather than go to the recycling bin. For more information, call 207-583-4533. — No Name via mail.
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