Lee Myles, St. Mary’s Health System president and CEO, lashed out at Gov. Paul LePage at the Jan. 19 meeting in Lewiston concerning the governor’s plan to cut expenses at the Department of Health and Human Services. Myles went on to say that he is not in the governor’s world, but goes on to say how the cuts will affect the medical care given to welfare recipients.

Why doesn’t Myles put himself in the governor’s shoes for a moment and visualize empty coffers in Augusta, while a one-day stay in the hospital will cost taxpayers more than $11,000, or a nine-day stay more than $90,000? Those are real figures for hospital care in Lewiston.

How can anybody in reality afford those costs?

Maybe the CEO, who gets paid a substantial amount annually, can use his wisdom to lower the cost of medical care and make the cost more appropriate for the area. That would be a great start, instead of complaining of lost revenue if the state cannot afford to pay welfare bills.

Steven Goulet, Greene