AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill designed to keep young children on MaineCare without requiring annual re-enrollment passed the House on Tuesday, though funding it remains a hurdle.

The lower chamber voted for the proposal, which would allow eligible children to remain covered under the state’s low-income health program until their sixth birthday— regardless of whether their parents’ income rises above the eligibility limit for the benefit during that time.

The Senate moved to place the bill on the special appropriations table later in the day, where it will compete for state funding.

Roughly half of Maine children are on MaineCare. Under current law, parents who want to keep their kids on the health plan must re-enroll them every 12 months.

The idea of making this requirement more flexible rec

See Full Page