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Maine Medicaid expansion passes but governor sets veto
Source: Reuters
Maine Medicaid expansion passes but governor sets veto
By Dave Sherwood
BOWDOINHAM, Maine | Thu May 23, 2013 5:44pm EDT
(Reuters) - Maine's Democratic-controlled legislature on Thursday passed a bill to expand access to its Medicaid program as outlined by the Affordable Care Act, setting up a showdown with the state's Republican governor, who immediately began veto procedures.
At issue is lawmakers' effort to link expanded access to the health insurance program for low-income residents to a plan to pay the state's share of $484 million in debt owed to Maine's hospitals.
Governor Paul LePage, who is frequently in conflict with state legislators, has insisted the two issues remain separate and signed a letter to veto the bill within minutes of its passage.
"Democrat leadership has spent the past week forcing this bill through the legislative process," LePage said in his veto letter. "This unadulterated partisanship tied two different issues together in a quest to force welfare expansion upon the Maine people."
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By Dave Sherwood
BOWDOINHAM, Maine | Thu May 23, 2013 5:44pm EDT
(Reuters) - Maine's Democratic-controlled legislature on Thursday passed a bill to expand access to its Medicaid program as outlined by the Affordable Care Act, setting up a showdown with the state's Republican governor, who immediately began veto procedures.
At issue is lawmakers' effort to link expanded access to the health insurance program for low-income residents to a plan to pay the state's share of $484 million in debt owed to Maine's hospitals.
Governor Paul LePage, who is frequently in conflict with state legislators, has insisted the two issues remain separate and signed a letter to veto the bill within minutes of its passage.
"Democrat leadership has spent the past week forcing this bill through the legislative process," LePage said in his veto letter. "This unadulterated partisanship tied two different issues together in a quest to force welfare expansion upon the Maine people."
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/23/us-usa-maine-medicaid-idUSBRE94M10D20130523
