AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Republican Gov. Paul LePage says expanding Medicaid under the federal health care law is a bad deal for Mainers.
LePage reiterated his position Tuesday during his State of the State address before the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
LePage, a staunch opponent to expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, says doing so would be “fiscally irresponsible” and “bad for working Mainers.” He says lawmakers must help the thousands of disabled and elderly Mainers on a waiting list for services.
LePage pointed to a controversial report funded by his administration which said the expansion would cost the state more than $800 million over the next ten years.
Democrats say the state shouldn’t turn down federal funding for expanding Medicaid. They also say the independent report was fraught with errors.
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