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Representatives back pilot to test MaineCare nonmedical rides for older adults and people with disabilities
Summary
Representative Dan Shagore introduced a bill to permit nonmedical transportation under MaineCare for older Mainers and adults with disabilities on waiver services. Sponsors and advocates said expanded transportation improves social connection and health; DHHS asked for a study and recommended careful design and waiver work.
Representative Dan Shagore (House District 55) presented LD 263, a resolve to create a MaineCare pilot providing nonmedical, non‑emergency transportation for older adults and adults with disabilities who receive home and community‑based services under the Section 19 waiver.
Sponsor’s case Shagore told the committee, “in Maine, either you drive or you rot,” summarizing the lack of public transportation in many rural communities. He framed the proposal as a pilot that could be geographically targeted and implemented through a federal Medicaid (MaineCare) waiver to secure federal matching funds; he proposed lowering the per‑participant annual cap from $2,000 in the draft to $1,000 to reduce the fiscal impact and urged collaboration with DHHS on pilot design.
Supporters - Maine Council on Aging: Marj Kilkelly said expanded access to rides for grocery, social and community activities would reduce isolation and improve health outcomes; she called transportation a core social determinant of health and said 72 percent of older Mainers live in communities without fixed-route public transit. - Developmental Disabilities Council: Rachel Dyer testified that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on accessible transportation and urged broader access beyond medical appointments. - Moving Maine Network: Zoe Miller said community transportation providers could use an additional funding stream to serve rides that are not currently reimbursed and that grant funding and coordination would expand local capacity.
DHHS position and next steps DHHS raised concerns about cost, provider capacity and program design and said the department was studying similar efforts in other states. Shagore and advocates suggested starting with a targeted pilot and seeking a Medicaid waiver to obtain federal matching funds; advocates noted the department’s waiver expertise will be essential. Committee members asked DHHS for the inter‑state study and for estimates of potential costs and implementation pathways before a work session.
Why it matters: Lack of reliable transportation was presented as a driver of social isolation and downstream health needs; sponsors and advocates argued a properly designed MaineCare pilot could both improve outcomes and be partly federally matched, reducing net state cost.
