Maine Democratic Party: Sen. Collins Opposed Law That Allowed Maine to Expand Medicaid Now

AUGUSTA, Maine, Sept. 4 -- The Maine Democratic Party issued the following news release on Sept. 3:

According to data released today by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, 61,539 Mainers are currently enrolled in health coverage through MaineCare expansion. Senator Susan Collins voted repeatedly to block the Affordable Care Act, which allowed Maine to expand Medicaid, and argued in 2009 that a further expansion of the program would not be sustainable.

If Collins and her Republican allies had been successful in blocking the health care law, tens of thousands of Maine people would not have the access to the cancer screenings, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health care that they rely on today.

Now, because of Senator Collins' vote for the GOP tax bill, Mainers' health care is at risk again. When the Republican lawsuit to strike down the ACA is heard by the Supreme Court in November, Trump's legal team will make the case that Senator Collins "knowingly voted to destroy" the ACA with her support for the tax bill and its repeal of the individual mandate. Nearly 100,000 Mainers could lose their coverage if the lawsuit is successful.

"The success of MaineCare expansion shows us just how vital access to affordable health care is for all of our communities, and just how dangerous Senator Collins' votes to undermine the ACA really are," said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. "We are fortunate to have Democratic leaders in Maine who championed Medicaid expansion and are fighting for our health care every day. We deserve a Senator who will do the same."