WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert Wilkie to raise the issue of late payments from the VA to Maine community hospitals and health care providers. As the lawmakers note in their letter, the Maine Hospital Association states the VA currently owes millions of dollars to fifteen Maine hospitals, and nearly a third of those delinquent claims are more than six... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has awarded a total of $2,125,000 in grant funding to 17 Maine health coalitions and local governments to prevent youth substance abuse and foster drug-free communities in Maine.“Last year, drug overdoses claimed the life of 354 Mainers, nearly one person each day. We must take an all-hands-on-deck approach to stop this epidemic and support those who are... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) has joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce legislation that would make common-sense improvements to the federal government’s budget process. The Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act would create a more deliberative budget process that emphasizes long-term fiscal planning over partisan brinksmanship and tackles growing debt and deficits.“Here’s a statement that won’t draw a lot of disagreement: Congress’s current... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Primary Care Patient Protection Act to allow consumers enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHP) to be covered for two yearly visits to primary care physicians. Under current law, individuals covered by HDHPs have a low premium, but higher costs for medical services – including primary care visits – before their insurance plan begins to cover expenses. As a result, individuals often can’t afford the routine visits... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today in an Energy Subcommittee hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) advocated for his legislation that would support businesses investing in energy efficiency technology, help diversify energy options for rural industries, and maximize the value of Maine’s natural resources. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Support Act reauthorizes and funds the CHP Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAP) program for the next... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that he has joined the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan effort that brings together Republican, Democratic, and Independent members of the Senate to find bipartisan solutions to address climate change. In addition to Senator King, members of the Climate Solutions Caucus include Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mitt Romney, (R-Utah), Jeanne... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Katharine MacGregor to ensure that no action is being taken or plans underway from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to drill natural resources off of the coast of Maine – reasserting the state’s opposition to offshore drilling. During the hearing, Senator King also pressed nominees on their support of the... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, calling on him to alleviate the economic hardship affecting Maine businesses as a result of the current trade dispute between the United States and the European Union.In October 2019, the U.S. imposed tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European products following a World Trade Organization ruling that the European Union... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) delivered the keynote address at the Maine Modern Wood Heat Symposium at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Campus. Senator King, an author and lead sponsor of the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act, shared his insights on the importance of the issue, and discussed his efforts to advance clean energy initiatives and support modern wood heating. The symposium gathered forest economy and clean energy leaders from the public and private... Continue Reading »
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing a total of $36,175,861 in funding for Maine through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), including $1,322,228 specifically for tribes and tribal organizations. “As the cold winter months approach, it is vital that we ensure low-income families and seniors in Maine have... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined Maine healthcare providers and advocates at the Greater Portland Health Clinic to urge Maine people to sign up for healthcare during the shortened enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Today marks the first day of the ACA’s 2020 Open Enrollment period, which will run only six weeks and end on December 15th. To sign up for coverage in 2020 during the Open Enrollment period, log on to http://www.healthcare.gov or call... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – One day before the beginning of the Affordable Care Act’s 2020 Open Enrollment period, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) helped introduce legislation that increases access to healthcare for young Americans. The Advancing Youth Enrollment Act would improve affordability while maintaining Affordable Care Act protections and access to essential services; as a result, nearly 5 million uninsured young adults could be eligible to receive additional financial support to help reduce... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) joined with 25 Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the growing epidemic of teen e-cigarette use by removing non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from store shelves nationwide. In September, the Administration announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would quickly finalize a compliance policy preventing the sale of unauthorized, non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes—including... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he has joined two of his Senate colleagues to urge the federal government to evaluate the effectiveness of federal workplace wellness programs. Senator King joined Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in reaching out to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to emphasize the benefits of programs that encourage healthier lifestyles, reduce risks of chronic diseases and cut overall healthcare expenses.... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), questioned Dana Deasy, nominee for Chief Information Officer at the Department Of Defense (DOD), on whether there are security risks associated with storing sensitive information through cloud technology. Senator King also questioned Deasy on the process through which the recent Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract was awarded to Microsoft, given suggestions... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined a group of his colleagues in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to take additional steps to support children affected by lead exposure, including increased prevention, screening and treatment efforts. In a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Senator King and 16 senators requested an update on how CMS plans to address demonstrated gaps in data pertaining to blood lead level screenings and urged CMS... Continue Reading »
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today announced his support for the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act. This new legislation proposes several steps to stop foreign interference in American elections. A version of the bill passed the House of Representatives last week.“This legislation is so clearly consistent with our founders’ vision that we shouldn’t even need it: to ensure our elected... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the October edition of Senator King’s “Inside Maine” podcast, with this edition focusing on preventive healthcare policies. In this episode, Senator King first welcomed Dr. Anand Parekh, chief medical advisor at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), who discussed the importance of creating incentives for prevention-oriented healthcare at a national level. In the second segment, Senator King spoke to Dr. Lori Parham,... Continue Reading »
BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in response to the announcement that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during a raid led by American forces:“Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was a murderous extremist who spent his life advancing hate and violence, and his death means that the world is a safer place. I am grateful for the American military personnel who performed the dangerous raid with bravery and professionalism, the intelligence community’s... Continue Reading »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) pressed U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Charles Richard, nominee to be Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, on the challenge of using deterrence against non-state actors. Senator King’s questioning came during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee considering Vice Admiral Richard’s nomination; at other points of the hearing, Senator King questioned the nominee on the military’s capability to respond to attacks if... Continue Reading »
