The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
Darcy Shargo is the CEO of the Maine Primary Care Association, a membership organization representing the state’s Community Health Centers.
As the statewide membership organization representing Maine’s Community Health Centers, which make up the largest independent primary care network in the state, the Maine Primary Care Association is disheartened about ongoing policy discussions in Congress to dramatically cut Medicaid. These cuts could jeopardize not only the health of our patients but also the financial stability of our healthcare system and the state’s economy.
Community Health Centers, also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers, are the backbone of primary care for many rural and underserved communities across Maine. Our health centers collectively serve over 60,000 Medicaid beneficiaries each year — including 24,000 children, 35,000 adults, and 15,000 who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. Many of our patients face significant financial barriers: 66 percent live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The vast majority of adult patients are hardworking, low-income individuals who rely on Medicaid to afford basic, essential care.
In Maine, Medicaid is known as MaineCare. It is not just a public health program — it is a lifeline. It enables Community Health Centers to provide critical services such as preventive care, chronic disease management, prenatal visits, behavioral health care, and more. In fact, our health centers provide care for one in six Medicaid beneficiaries across the state, yet only account for 2 percent of the state’s total Medicaid spending. Medicaid funding accounts for nearly 30 percent of Community Health Center revenues, ensuring these services remain available and accessible to the people who need them most.
The impact of Medicaid goes far beyond the exam room. It sustains jobs and supports the broader health system. Maine’s Community Health Centers employ more than 2,200 people in stable, good-paying jobs. Medicaid also helps keep rural hospitals open and reduces costly emergency room visits by supporting primary and preventive care, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars.
Despite all this, Congress is now considering several proposals that would significantly undermine the Medicaid program and would be devastating for patients and would hamper the health centers’ ability to furnish care. Analysis from Capital Link’s Medicaid Reduction Model highlights the risks of reducing Medicaid funding in Maine:
Millions in lost health care dollars, leading to likely service reductions and workforce cuts. Longer wait times and fewer providers, disproportionately affecting rural and underserved areas. Increased financial strain on Community Health Centers and other provider types, forcing difficult decisions about patient care and operations.
Additionally, from 2025-2028, the three-year projected network-wide loss of Medicaid revenue for Maine’s health centers is almost $118 million.
That’s why we’re urging Maine’s congressional delegation to protect Medicaid, and in doing so, protect the future of Maine. Medicaid isn’t just a program, it’s a promise. It represents a commitment to the well-being of those who need it most.