Governor Paul LePage visited Damariscotta June 12 for a lunchtime speech about elder abuse awareness to a capacity crowd at Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center.
The governor, in the speech and a question-and-answer session, addressed elder abuse as well as a wide range of other topics, from state budget negotiations to prescription drug abuse, Medicaid expansion to tax policy.
“The only way we get rid of it is, we simply make it unacceptable,” LePage said of elder abuse.
“We have to stay vigilant, we have to stay on it every day, but I do believe we can conquer any form of abuse, whether it’s to our children, to our spouses, our family members, or the elderly,” LePage said.
LePage said the best thing anyone can do to help is “talk about it.”
“If you hear about it, encourage that person to go seek assistance from authorities,” LePage said. “If you see it, speak up.”
LePage quickly transitioned to talk of current events in Augusta, including the state budget debate, his attempts to pay the state’s debt to Maine hospitals, the status of MaineCare and his thoughts about expanding the program.
“The reason why I do not want to expand Medicaid right now is the $484 million [in state debt to Maine hospitals] is the result of the first Medicaid expansion,” he said.
The federal government will pay 100 percent of the cost to expand Medicaid for three years and 90 percent thereafter per the terms of the Affordable Care Act. LePage, however, has concerns about the state’s responsibilities in three years.
“For three years, it’s a good benefit,” he said. “In three years, it’s really troublesome.”
He said he is willing to expand Medicaid under the right terms.
“I think if we concentrated on our youth, the kids, the disabled and the elderly and allow subsidies for those working people who need help, I think it’s a better model than giving everybody 100 percent for three years,” he said.
“The state of Ohio, the state of Michigan and there’s another state, they were able to negotiate better deals, and I’d like to spend the summer and fall negotiating with the federal government to get a better deal, so in December, we can bring the legislature back and see if we can expand,” he said.
LePage said he would like to extend Medicaid to 3100 people who qualify now but do not receive services and to anyone with an income under 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
“I have been saying that all along,” he said. “The Legislature has just not been paying attention.”
Welfare fraud drains the system, LePage said.
“I think if we really sat around the table and were really serious about taking care of people, then we would address the fraud, the abuse, the duplications, and I’ll tell you, I bet in this room alone … probably, collectively, we know hundreds of people that are abusing the system.”
The governor cited methadone clinics, which treat people for opiate dependence, as an example of such abuse.
“Methadone clinics in the state of Maine … do not require medical clinicians to be involved or an exit program, so it’s a drug you get the rest of your life,” he said. “You know who’s paying for that: the state.”
He also talked about prescription drug abuse.
“We have a serious problem in the state of Maine with prescription drugs,” LePage said. “Unfortunately, many elderly take medications and they’re prime targets for robberies.”
He encouraged audience members to dispose of any unnecessary medications at an area pharmacy or police station.
Later, in response to a comment from an audience member, he placed much of the blame for prescription drug abuse at the feet of physicians.
“Every year, we addict over 5000 people on opiate drugs, the doctors do,” he said.
The governor proclaimed June 15, 2013 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Maine.
“Elder abuse comes in various forms – emotional, physical, financial,” he said in a statement. “It may involve neglect, abandonment and the draining of a senior’s monetary assets. Sadly, these crimes are under-reported, leaving too many victims to suffer.
“The state of Maine has the resources and strong desire to provide assistance and support, but it’s imperative that more people speak up and report their concerns. Currently, only one out of five cases of elderly abuse is reported.”
Spectrum Generations encourages anyone who suspects elder abuse to call Adult Protective Services at 800-624-8404.
