Bill Would Help Rural Maine Seniors, People With Disabilities to Get Around

In January, the state of Maine will again take up Rep. Chloe Maxmin's (D-Maine) proposal to amend a rule to help rural seniors and disabled individuals receive transportation services covered in their service plan, along with any currently permissible medical transportation, when no other means of transportation is available, reports the Maine Beacon . "Transportation can be an economic burden for so many folks who live in our state, and I've really come to see transportation as one of the greatest pieces of economic access in rural communities," Maxmin said. Maine law provides home and community services for seniors and people with disabilities, including transit to and from community support programs — but other non-medical transportation, like for grocery shopping or commuting to work, are not always included. Proponents say this oversight often forces seniors out of their homes earlier than would otherwise be necessary, and affects the ability of the disabled to integrate into their communities. "If Maine people do not have access to home care due to lack of Personal Support Services as the result of the shortage in Maine, and do not have access to transportation to get out into the community to attend important appointments or do their own grocery shopping and laundry, then why are we giving people false hope that they can remain at home?" argued Julie Daniels with the nonprofit SeniorPlus.