Maine: Anne Perry

AUGUSTA, Maine — Lawmakers this week sidelined a proposal that would restructure state spending in order to provide more health care and other home-based support services to Maine’s frail elderly residents.

The bill, LD 400, received broad endorsement at a public hearing on Tuesday, despite its $2 million price tag — at a time when many programs are going begging — and objections that it would pit nursing homes against agencies that provide home-based services such as personal assistance, nursing and housekeeping.

Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais, House chairman of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, said the measure merits close consideration, especially given Maine’s rapidly aging population.