Hon. Justin Chenette
  • Home
  • About
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Columns
    • Pictures
  • Business
    • Marketing Firm
    • Real Estate
  • Books
    • Children's Book
    • Coloring Book
  • Speaker
  • Projects
    • Saco Long-Range Planning Committee
    • Maine Democracy Project
    • Saco Main Street
    • Rotary
    • Thornton Academy Class Agent
    • Past >
      • Legislative >
        • Newsletters
        • Committees & Caucuses
        • Student Page Program
        • Search for a Bill
        • Listen to Committees LIVE
        • Budget
        • Senate Democrats
        • Young Elected Officials Network
        • Maine Young Democrats
  • Scholarships
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Columns
    • Pictures
  • Business
    • Marketing Firm
    • Real Estate
  • Books
    • Children's Book
    • Coloring Book
  • Speaker
  • Projects
    • Saco Long-Range Planning Committee
    • Maine Democracy Project
    • Saco Main Street
    • Rotary
    • Thornton Academy Class Agent
    • Past >
      • Legislative >
        • Newsletters
        • Committees & Caucuses
        • Student Page Program
        • Search for a Bill
        • Listen to Committees LIVE
        • Budget
        • Senate Democrats
        • Young Elected Officials Network
        • Maine Young Democrats
  • Scholarships
  • Contact

Sen. Chenette: Legislative health care win demonstrates leadership

4/5/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
It’s not often we can say both sides came together for the greater good, but that is exactly what has happened.

Democrats and Republicans overwhelming rejected the governor’s veto on my bill, LD 1030 An Act to Require Non Discrimination Policies in Providing Health Care Services.

The Maine Senate voted 32-2 to override the veto and the Maine House followed suit 135-11. This was after a unanimous report from the Insurance and Financial Services Committee. This means my bill now becomes law and will begin impacting policies in January 2019.

The new law will prevent insurance companies from excluding payment for care received from a naturopathic doctor practicing within the scope of their license. This means insurers will have to pay for health care provided by licensed naturopaths, as they would for care given by other licensed providers, such as medical doctors, osteopathic physicians and nurse practitioners.
​
The law also prohibits insurance companies from charging higher co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for naturopathic care. In addition, insurance companies may not exclude naturopathic physicians from their network on the basis of their training and licensure.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession that emphasizes prevention, treatment and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent selfhealing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods. For me this is the first step in getting insurance companies to cover alternative treatment. Each person’s health, health care and healing looks different. Our society has an over reliance on pharmaceutical drugs that does nothing but mask issues. Not enough attention is paid toward preventive health and the role of nutrition, lifestyle changes and alternative how healing play into your overall wellbeing. This law creates a level playing field and lays the foundation for future action surrounding this important topic.

After a six-month study conducted by the Bureau of Insurance, it was found that not only would there not be a negative impact on premiums, but there is a strong potential for driving down the cost of health care. Oftentimes new mandates on insurance impact everyone’s premiums because insurance companies just pass along the added cost to consumers. That is not the case for this.

This is something that drives down cost and gives people more options when it comes to their personal health. That, my friends, is a win-win.

Some insurers in Maine already cover naturopathic services, but this is the first time that all insurers are required to do so. The new law will ensure patients can obtain affordable naturopathic services without fear of losing coverage over the course of treatment. It also eliminates discrimination against naturopathic providers, who often treat the same conditions without the financial recognition.

Currently, there are about 50 naturopathic doctors licensed in Maine and about 4,000 nationwide, according to the Maine Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
I have worked on this issue for the better part of a year after a constituent approached me with problems they were having getting their treatment covered. I am glad the Legislature finally came together to enact this legislation in such a bipartisan way over the objection of the governor. This marks a big win for Mainers who were unable to access the licensed health care provider of their choice. It closes loopholes in Maine law and puts Maine health care consumers first.
​
Justin Chenette is serving his first term as the youngest senator in the Maine Senate representing Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and Buxton. He previously served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives. Outside the Legislature, he is the owner of Chenette Media LLC, a marketing & public relations firm, works as the marketing coordinator of Saco Sport & Fitness, and is the president of Saco Main Street. Sign up for legislative updates at www.justinchenette.com or follow updates at www.Facebook.com/ JustinChenette.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Beyond the Headlines 

    Weekly Column featured in The Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier Newspaper by Rep. Justin Chenette of Saco

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture
Meet Justin
News
Contact
Email:
justinchenette@gmail.com
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 315
Saco, ME 04072
Picture
Copyright © 2020, Chenette Media LLC. All rights reserved.