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Sen. Susan Collins has once again proven she cares more about ordinary Maine families than political gamesmanship.
Last month, Collins cast votes to prevent government spending cuts from falling disproportionately on the shoulders of blue-collar Mainers by slashing Medicaid, our nation’s largest public insurer. Unfortunately, the amendments protecting this core program were narrowly defeated. But with more debate sure to come, we’ll continue to need leaders like Collins who I believe put their constituents ahead of political dogma.
Eighty million American adults and children are insured by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This includes one in six adults, a third of children and two-thirds of nursing home residents in Maine. Medicaid is especially important in rural parts of our state, where it is often the only insurance carrier. Nearly a quarter of rural Maine adults are enrolled in Medicaid.
I support Republicans’ efforts to rein in federal spending, reduce government waste and put money back in the pockets of hard-working taxpayers. However, slashing a staggering $880 billion from Medicaid, as the U.S. House’s current plan proposes, is a recipe for disaster. It would require significant structural changes that could drive up our uninsured rate, create significant out-of-pocket costs for patients, and put an even greater strain on our local hospitals.
I encourage President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to follow Sen. Collins’ example and carefully consider the impact that changes to Medicaid would have on everyday citizens. Healthcare coverage is not a Republican or Democrat issue — it’s an American issue. Blue-collar Mainers and working-class voters across the country will be watching closely.
Diane Roberts
Windham