"I am delighted to announce that critical assistance is on its way to more than 2,800 Maine workers and their families who have lost their jobs, and, in turn, their health insurance . This grant provides the money the state needs to help pay health insurance premiums for laid off workers who have lost their jobs at companies such as Great Northern Paper and C.F. Hathaway Company due to foreign trade. This is a vital step in covering the health needs of these valued workers," said Collins, whom Labor Secretary Chao called personally to notify her of the grant.
The funding is possible because of new legislation, the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002, signed into law in August 2002 by President Bush. Any worker currently eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance is eligible for the health coverage assistance.
According to a March 11, 2003 letter to Senator Collins from the US Department of Labor, an "eligible TAA recipient" is defined as "an individual who (1) is receiving a trade readjustment allowance (TRA) under the TAA program, or (2) would be eligible for TRA except that he/she has not yet exhausted unemployment benefits."
By August 1, 2003, the premium payments of 65% of the cost for qualified health insurance coverage will be paid through an advance tax credit. The Maine Department of Labor received another National Emergency Grant for $136,853 to create the system to administer the advance tax credit for health coverage assistance, so the state will be ready in August of this year. Senator Collins has strongly urged the U.S. Department of Labor to award both grants to Maine.