We need to remind Sen. Susan Collins that she represents Maine, a beautiful state with lots of poor people, including many babies and children. These poor Mainers rely on Medicaid to stay well physically and mentally. Without that support, the burden of caring for them — or not — will fall on slim local and state budgets as well as hospitals and other health care facilities teetering on the brink of insolvency, especially in rural areas.

I can’t forgive Sen. Collins for allowing an inept, and possibly mentally incompetent, person to become secretary of health and human services. She should not make such a huge mistake with her influence on the budget. She must do everything in her power — and she’s been in Congress long enough to accumulate a great deal of power — to prevent Medicaid cuts in order to give more tax breaks to the wealthy. The rich in this country are doing just fine without more help from “our” government.

It’s time for Sen. Collins to remember who she once was: a young Maine woman who wanted to serve the people of her state. She must try to find that person and revive her. She must now do the right thing.

Terri Hibbard
Waterville