I interned for Sen. Susan Collins 20-plus years ago. Back then, I admired her reputation for independence. But recently, her career has become defined less by independence than by a profound weakness — when it counts, she rarely leads, rarely persuades. The forces shaping her party and our politics simply roll over her while she voices concern and disappointment from the sidelines.

The Senate recently passed a sweeping, cruel piece of legislation that slashes Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion, strips health insurance from millions and will shutter rural hospitals across the country.

Collins understood the damage this would do in Maine. She introduced an amendment adding funding for rural hospitals — an acknowledgment the bill would devastate them. The amendment failed miserably. Collins eventually voted against the overall bill, but only after it was clear her vote was no longer needed.

What did Sen. Collins do to lead, to persuade, to truly push back on a bill she knew would harm Mainers? Did she call out the bill’s architects? Rally opposition? Speak plainly about the consequences? Of course not.

Instead, she blamed Democrats — for not supporting her earlier amendment, as if adding $50 billion for rural hospitals could somehow offset $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts.

Rather than lead, she deflects. Rather than stand up to her party, she scolds the other. And rather than fight to stop this ugly bill, she asks Democrats to help polish it. To paraphrase a senator I once looked up to: I’m disappointed.

Josh Yardley
Woburn, Mass.

Editor’s note (Aug. 8, 2025): A previous version of this letter incorrectly referred to the increase in rural hospital funding sought by Sen. Collins, which was $50 billion over five years.