“We all know the problem. In our rapidly-aging state, too many seniors are being forced from their homes and too many people with disabilities can’t get the care they need. Homecare for all will fix that. It’s a guarantee that if you need help staying in your home, you can get it.”
– Miri Lyons, a former homecare worker and a parent who currently cares for a child with a disability.

What is the bill

This vote was whether to place Homecare for All on the ballot this November 2018. Sending the bill to a committee would have opened up the possibility of a competing ballot measure and other legislative interference. Most of the major citizen initiative campaigns over the last several years, including raising the minimum wage, raising education funding, and expanding Medicaid, were all sent directly to voters.

Why it matters

Maine is the oldest state in the country and too many families are struggling to make ends meet caring for an aging parent or grandparent at home, or spending down their savings to quality for Medicare. In November, as the LePage administration comes to an end, Maine has the potential to set the gold standard for the rest of the country for what it means to take care of our citizens.. Homecare for All will provide universal access to in-home care for seniors and Mainers with disabilities while raising wages for direct care workers and providing support for family caregivers.

What happened

INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT: This bill was “postponed indefinitely,” meaning the legislature sent it directly to voters to be placed on the November ballot.