The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Struck A Nerve On Health Insurance Rates; SunJournal: Claims of state insurance rate decreases in Maine prompts rebuttal

Scott Thistle, Regional Editor

Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:11 am

LEWISTON – Claims by a conservative watchdog group that a recently enacted health insurance law change was already creating lower premium rates drew a sharp rebuke from consumer advocate groups and liberals who say the new law is driving rates skyward.

This week the Maine Wire, an online publication of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a Portland-based nonprofit, reported that individual health insurance rates were set to drop by 60 percent as a result of a 2011 state law change that supporters say is making Maine's markets more competitive.

Opponents say it's clear to them now that the only benefactors of the new law are the health insurance companies.

Joe Ditre, an attorney and executive director of Augusta-based nonprofit, Consumers for Affordable Health Care, called the report an attempt to put a "diamond stud in a pig's ear."

Now where did that tube of lipstick go?

Read more here.