Families USA Submits Testimony in Support of LD 2196 to Lower Health Insurance Costs and Reduce Barriers to Care

On March 5, 2026, Sophia Tripoli, Senior Director of Health Policy at Families USA, submitted written testimony to the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, in support of LD 2196 – An Act to Lower Health Insurance Costs, Reduce Barriers to Health Care and Ensure Fair Prices for Health Care. Jen Taylor, Senior Director of Government Relations at Families USA, delivered testimony virtually in support of the legislation.

Mainers face some of the highest health care costs in the country, and hospital costs are the largest component of the state’s health care spending. With highly variable and irrational hospital prices in the state, Mainers are left with higher premiums and out of pocket expenses. LD 1296 takes several steps to ensuring Mainers have access to the health care they need, at the price they can afford, by:

1. Directly lowering health care costs for Mainers by limiting hospital prices to 200% of the Medicare rate and controlling annual price growth
2. Improving access to needed health care services by investing in historically underfunded primary care and behavioral health services
3. Reducing burdensome administrative barriers to care by expanding limitations on prior authorizations

LD 2196 represents a new high-water mark in the country for state progress toward addressing irrationally high hospital prices. Families USA stands strongly in support of this historic opportunity to bring real affordability to consumers.