I served this country because I believe in protecting people’s rights and freedoms — not taking them away. That’s why I’m speaking out now, as a veteran, and as a longtime Maine resident, about what’s at stake if the U.S. Senate passes the reconciliation bill that has cleared the House.

That bill hands out massive tax breaks to billionaires and giant corporations. And to pay for it? It guts Medicaid, food assistance and reproductive health care access — all while veterans’ health services are already being pushed to the brink.

Here in Maine, we could see up to 34,000 people lose Medicaid, many of them veterans and their families, who depend on that coverage for cancer screenings, mental health care, prenatal care and more.

The cuts don’t stop there. This bill targets reproductive health providers like Planned Parenthood, blocks gender-affirming care and punishes our state for making sure immigrant kids and pregnant people get the health care they need.

Sen. Susan Collins has a real opportunity here. She’s one of the most powerful voices in the Senate. I urge her to use that power to protect us — not Wall Street. Stand up for Maine. Stand up for health care. And vote no on this reckless bill.

We deserve better.

Ted Perrin
Hallowell