Advocates say administration flouts Medicaid expansion law

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - An advocacy group is again accusing Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration of flouting the law in the latest legal battle over voter-approved Medicaid expansion in Maine.

Maine Equal Justice Partners argued Tuesday that the Maine Supreme Judicial Court should reject the administration’s latest filing.

The administration appealed a superior court order requiring him to file a Medicaid expansion plan by June 11. The governor’s administration argues it shouldn’t have to file the paperwork during the appeal.

But a lower court judge said Friday the paperwork must still be filed. LePage’s administration on Monday asked Maine’s high court to weigh in.

Mainers voted last fall to expand Medicaid to over 70,000 low-income adults by July 2.

LePage says lawmakers must fund Maine’s share of expansion costs under his terms.