According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services businesses may now apply for assistance paying for health care under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. The funding is available on a first come first serve basis, so Maine businesses are encouraged to apply now. The program helps businesses cover the cost of providing early retirees with health insurance. Congress appropriated $5 billion for the program as part of the Affordable Care act of 2010.

The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is an intermediate effort until health insurance exchanges are phased in in 2014. It will provide financial assistance to employers, unions, state and local governments and nonprofits to insure retirees can get affordable insurance.