In a very controversial move (that will fail), a bill is going through our state to make it a law that those who receive Mainecare (Medicaid) would be randomly drug tested. If they test positive for scheduled drugs and shouldn't be on them then they would lose their benefits. Ouch. This sounds like a real shot at personal privacy but then again no one is saying they HAVE to get those free benefits. Very intriguing. It is very easy to knock this attempt to clean up the state and save money at the same time but the reality is that we are having major problems up here on both ends. In a recent USA Today article, Maine is the fourth highest state in the country in getting government aid per person for social aid. In a related article, Maine is the second worst state to make a living based on an analysis of what money you have left to spend, after adjusting for paying your state taxes and dealing with the comparative cost of buying groceries and keeping a roof over your head, among other things. Coincidence?
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