WhatNext of Waterville, ME I say provide the Dirigo coverage to Maine State employees, Legislators, etc. BUT NOOOOOOOOO they don't want the inferior Dirigo product, so why should MY tax dollars go to a program the ones who direct the program don't even want?report abuse

Mathew Cunningham of Cornville, ME The average salary for physicians is around $200,000.00 yearly. Now I’m not trying to indicate all physicians make this amount, but on average the number is around $200,000.00 yearly.

Now having stated the aforementioned, hospitals & clinics charge pretty hefty sums for their services. For example, an emergency room, for one hour, costs on average; $500.00! A MRI will cost you $2,000.00, an X-ray; $800.00. The price list is absolutely staggering!

I recently underwent a necessary and somewhat major surgical procedure that did not produce the advertised results because the physician performing the procedure failed to take the necessary steps. My insurance company paid about $27,000.00. Another surgery to correct the problem, did not fix the problem, and my insurance paid another $34,000.00. Following these procedures I underwent therapy that did nothing to help, I suffered medical complications resulting from two major operations within 3 months of each other, and was hospitalized for 24 hours. All told my insurance company paid well over $150,000.00.

During the aforementioned time period I was in the hospital, and or being seen by a physician for a grand total of 51 hours. Do the math… THAT’S NEARLY $3,000.00 AN HOUR!

In comparison; I make about $23.00 an hour, and I am very well paid for what I do, at least I think so.

In summary; until we get a handle on runaway medical costs, attributable somewhat to health practitioners, but mostly to greedy CEO’s and investors in our medical facilities we will never be able to fund Dirigo. It was a fantastical dream, let it go people, let it go.report abuse

voter of SKOWHEGAN, ME THESE PEOPLE ARE SCUM !!!report abuse

Mark Turek of Randolph, ME We just need to accept the fact that some of our elected politicians won't stop raising taxes and fees until Dirigo gets funded.

However, these so-called state leaders should know the mission of a relatively young organization called Maine Taxpayers United - "Reduce our state and local tax burden and promote prudent government spending"...and I believe we will!

For more information, please visit and bookmark:
http://www.mainetaxpayers.comreport abuse