Maine's Governor Defies Voters Approval of Medicaid Expansion

Although Maine residents passed a ballot measure to expand Medicaid with 59 percent approval, Gov. Paul LePage is resisting. Gov. LePage has vetoed Medicaid expansion legislation five times. LePage has stated that opening up the program to more low-income residents would hurt the state's finances. LePage believes that Maine should not raise taxes to pay for the expansion.

Traditional Medicaid imposes coverage requirements based on income, household size, disability, and other factors. Expanded Medicaid allows you to qualify based on your income alone. If your household income is below 133% of the federal poverty level, you qualify. Medicaid expansion would provide health insurance coverage to at least 70,000 low-income residents.

Medicaid expansion is having a disproportionately positive impact in rural communities. Rural uninsured rates have dropped dramatically compared to metropolitan areas. Expansion has also reduced disparities in coverage by race, age, and income.

Hospitals have seen large benefits from expansion. The rates of unreimbursed care have plummeted. Hospital closures in expansion states are lower than states without expanded Medicaid.

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