The people of Maine spoke loudly and clearly this past November. The Citizens’ Initiative to expand MaineCare passed by a wide margin and is now the law of the land. However, the deadlines to enact this law are rapidly approaching, and it is time to inquire if the governor and the Department of Health and […]
medicaid expansion
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers begin looking for ways to fund Maine’s share of Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA — Surpluses expected in the next two-year budget cycle could provide a starting point for funding the state’s share of Medicaid expansion, but it isn’t clear whether lawmakers would agree to use that money, or whether Gov. Paul LePage would veto such a move. But the state’s share of expanding the health insurance program […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Defiant LePage says he won't implement voter-approved Medicaid expansion
Gov. Paul LePage speaks at aa Auburn town hall in 2015, LePage said he would not act to implement Medicaid expansion until it was fully funded by the Legislature. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage issued a defiant statement Wednesday following overwhelming approval by voters of a ballot initiative to expand the state’s […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Expansion of Medicaid makes sense
Maine needs to expand Medicaid. Question 2 on the November ballot would expand Medicaid to more than 70,000 Mainers. It would also strengthen hospitals in this state and provide a boost to the economy. That is why groups such as the Maine Medical Association and the Maine Hospital Association have both endorsed a “yes” vote […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine GOP doesn't like wording of Medicaid expansion question
AUGUSTA (AP) — A group of Republicans wants Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap to strike the word “insurance” from a November ballot question asking voters to expand Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. Former Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett said the question should refer to “taxpayer-funded health benefits” or as “government-funded health […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Laurie Kane-Lewis: Maine must embrace opportunity to expand MaineCare
As Veto Day — May 1 — approaches, lawmakers have yet another chance to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of legislation that would provide health insurance to nearly 70,000 low-income Mainers, most of whom are working low-wage jobs where coverage is not offered or unaffordable. This unprecedented opportunity to provide coverage and infuse millions of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Medicaid expansion fails in Maine for a third time
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Legislature failed on Friday in its third attempt to overturn Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to 70,000 low-income residents under the federal health care law — an issue that’s certain to play prominently in this year’s governor’s race. The 22-13 vote in the […]
Posted inLetters
D. Whitley: Give constituents the opportunity
I write to urge Sen. Jim Hamper, Rep. Tom Winsor and Rep. Roger Jackson, all Republicans, to think about the people in Oxford County that they represent and to vote for the Medicaid expansion when they get the opportunity to do so again. They represent many of the thousands of people in Oxford County who […]
Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, G. Mathews: Must think long term
This is in response to the Jan. 19 editorial, “Medicaid expansion will save us money.” I read that headline and said to myself, this doesn’t make sense. If expanding welfare to an additional 70,000 able-bodied young adults, for whom Medicaid was never intended, will save us money, just think of all the money we could […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Rep. Jeffrey Timberlake: Democrats must abandon Medicaid expansion
President Barack Obama’s brazen and bold-faced misstatements about the Affordable Health Care Act, also known as Obamacare, may turn out to be a silver lining for Maine taxpayers. When the Legislature reconvenes in January, the majority party will once again push legislation to expand Medicaid, which is administered through the state’s MaineCare program. Gov. Paul […]