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Senator Collins Demands Explanation for Progressive’s Proposal to Increase Auto Insurance Rates for Seniors
Maine Bureau of Insurance Rejects the Company’s Filing
In response to reports that Progressive Corp. was seeking approval to allow it to charge older Mainers higher auto insurance premiums based on their age, Senator Collins sent a letter to the CEO expressing concern with the proposal and seeking additional information.
In her letter, Senator Collins noted that research shows that drivers over age 65 are less likely to be involved in crashes and generate fewer collision and property damage claims than younger drivers. In addition, Senator Collins emphasized that many seniors live on fixed incomes and could experience financial hardship if their auto insurance premiums were increased. Automobiles are essential to seniors’ ability to remain independent and connected with their communities.
Fortunately, Maine’s Bureau of Insurance ruled against Progressive’s request, preventing any rate hike based on a driver’s age from taking effect.
Maine blocks Progressive’s request to raise seniors’ car insurance rates
From the Portland Press Herald | By: J. Craig Anderson
 “Maine Superintendent of Insurance Eric Cioppa has ruled against Progressive Corp.’s request to raise car insurance rates for seniors in Maine.
“Progressive had been seeking state approval for rate changes that would allow the company to charge older Mainers higher auto insurance premiums based solely on their age. The proposal by the Ohio-based company would have applied only to new customers in Maine, according to documents filed with the state Department of Professional and Financial Regulation’s Bureau of Insurance.
“A hypothetical example that Progressive provided to the bureau showed a 65-year-old being charged 6 percent more than a 64-year-old based solely on the customer having reached age 65.
“Increasing rates for seniors based on their age alone would have been a major departure from the way most insurance companies operate nationwide and in Maine, which has a population that leads the nation in average age. Healthy drivers with flawless driving records typically see their premiums decrease as they age.
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 “Progressive had initially asked the bureau to allow it to raise the rates of all new and existing customers in Maine as they age, but the bureau denied that request in June, saying it would violate state law. However, the bureau had agreed to discuss further the possibility of increasing rates for new customers only.
“When news of Progressive’s rate request was publicized, it received criticism from AARP Maine State Director Lori Parham, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and others. Collins, a Republican, sent a letter to Progressive President and CEO Tricia Griffith demanding an explanation for the company’s rate request.
“ ‘As Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, I have been greatly concerned by Progressive’s discriminatory proposal to increase auto insurance rates for seniors, which would have imposed significant hardships on older individuals, particularly those who have limited incomes or lack access to transportation alternatives,’ Collins said Wednesday via email. ‘Last month, I wrote to Progressive’s CEO to raise my concerns as well as to request justification and additional information for its rate increase in Maine and nationally. I am pleased that the Maine Bureau of Insurance has rejected Progressive’s proposal. The company’s filing highlights the need to ensure that auto insurance practices do not discriminate against seniors.’ ”
Leading a Group of Bipartisan Senators, Senator Collins Writes Letter Urging CMS to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Coverage
In a continuation of her efforts to combat the heroin and opioid abuse crisis, Senator Collins and her colleague, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), wrote a letter urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve access to substance abuse treatment by modifying the Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion. Their letter was signed by a group of 29 bipartisan senators, including Senator Angus King (I-ME).
 “Our nation’s opioid and heroin epidemic has devastated countless families and communities across the country. Maine has been particularly hard hit by this unprecedented addiction crisis, with a record 272 overdose deaths in 2015, the vast majority of which were caused by heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioids,” said Senator Collins. “As we look for ways to stymie this burgeoning public health crisis, we must identify and correct outdated federal reimbursement policies that can exacerbate the problem of access to life-saving care.”
The IMD Exclusion currently limits options for individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. Under existing policy, federal reimbursement is prohibited for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries between ages 22 and 64 in certain settings, including residential mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities with more than 16 beds. In her letter, Senator Collins asked the agency to provide greater flexibility in order to ensure patients have access to medically necessary substance abuse treatment.
“I have long been concerned that the IMD exclusion limits timely access to needed mental health and substance abuse treatment,” Senator Collins continued. “To mitigate this problem and help increase access to evidence-based substance abuse treatment, I led my colleagues in urging CMS to use existing authorities to expand treatment opportunities, including removing substance use disorder treatment and facilities from the IMD Exclusion.”
“A Wonderful Day for the City of Ellsworth!”: Senator Collins Attends Ribbon Cutting for Entrepreneurship Center, Groundbreaking for Jackson Lab Facility
Senator Collins recently visited the City of Ellsworth to  attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Union River Center for Innovation and the groundbreaking for Jackson Laboratory’s Ellsworth Vivarium. The two new facilities will create jobs and help grow the economy in Eastern Maine.
“The City of Ellsworth is truly the ‘The Gateway to Opportunity,’” said Senator Collins. “The Union River Center for Innovation will help to nurture entrepreneurship and successful small-businesses, create jobs in the bio-sciences and other cutting-edge technologies, and help contribute to a future full of promise. Jackson Labs’ new Ellsworth Vivarium will help enable this cutting edge research facility to pursue their mission of improving the quality of human life. These exciting developments in this vibrant city are truly indicative of the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and hard work that pervade this community.”
 The Union River Center for Innovation is a business incubator that will give new or emerging businesses a physical space in which to operate. The facility will be run as a partnership between the city and the Ellsworth Business Development Corp.
Construction is set to begin on the Jackson Laboratory’s Ellsworth Vivarium, a next-generation production space that will enable Jackson Labs to remain competitive and to grow as the global leader in research mouse production. The vivarium will create 230 jobs in Ellsworth and increase research and education initiatives at the Bar Harbor campus. Jackson Labs received a $1.74 million pilot grant from the Maine Technology Institute and a $1.82 million Structural Improvement Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help fund the construction of the facility.
Senator Collins Visits Sarah’s House of Maine, a Hospitality House for Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment and Their Caregivers
Senator Collins visited Sarah’s House of Maine in Holden, a nine bedroom cancer hospitality house serving patients who are receiving treatment at the nearby cancer treatment center in Brewer. Sarah’s House provides a “home away from home” environment for cancer patients and their caregivers to help alleviate the strain of traveling long distances to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Sarah’s House of Maine was founded through the efforts of Sarah Robinson, a young woman from Dexter who passed away from brain cancer in 2011. During her treatment, Sarah learned that other cancer patients were traveling long distances to receive treatment, in some cases as many as five hours roundtrip every weekday. In order to help patients find an affordable, comfortable place to stay, Sarah brought together a group of Maine Rotarians, cancer survivors, and treatment providers to form a nonprofit corporation to make Sarah’s House a reality.
Lindsay Turner, Sarah’s identical twin sister who has worked to achieve and preserve Sarah’s vision, and Joe and Sue Cyr, who volunteer and support Sarah’s House, provided Senator Collins with a tour of the facility.
Touring CES, Inc. in Brewer, Senator Collins Congratulates the Company on Its Recent Growth
Senator Collins visited CES, Inc. in Brewer to tour the company’s headquarters and congratulate the company on its recent growth. CES has six additional offices located throughout Maine. Founded in 1978, CES employs approximately 70 engineers, environmental scientists, and surveyors. CES’ clients include businesses, utilities, municipalities, and other organizations.
In Bangor, Senator Collins Welcomes Players and Fans to Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Senior League World Series
Senator Collins attended the opening ceremony for the 2016 Senior League World Series, which took place at the Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium in Bangor. Senator Collins welcomed the crowd of approximately 200 individuals, who included players from around the globe, family members, local residents, and others. Senator Collins also congratulated the Bronco-Hermon All Star team, the only Maine team playing in the tournament
The opening ceremonies also recognized the Maine district winners in several age groups, including the 9- and 10-year-old boys from Old Town and the 9- and 10-year old girls from Lincoln.
Senator Collins Congratulates Maine Native Ellie Logan on Winning Gold Medal
Senator Collins congratulated Ellie Logan of Boothbay Harbor on winning an Olympic gold medal in the Rio Games as part of the U.S. women’s eight rowing team. This is the third consecutive gold medal Ellie has won since competing in the Beijing Games in 2008. Ellie is the first American woman to win three Olympic gold medals in rowing, and she is the second Mainer to win three Olympic gold medals.
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| Clockwise from top: Ellie with rowing teammates in Rio (photo courtesy of Logan family); Ellie with the gold medal she won at the Rio Games (photo courtesy of Logan family); Ellie and Sen. Collins in a parade in Boothbay celebrating Ellie winning her first gold medal in 2008 (photo courtesy of Boothbay Register); |
Meeting with Mainers
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| From top to bottom, left to right: Husson University Development staff; Kylie, Michael, and Avery Mason; Art Cannon and grandchildren; Bud Harmon, Former Executive Director, Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce; and Brian Parke and Chris Spear |
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