Maine Dems Urge Congress: Don't Cut Medicaid

AUGUSTA (WGME) — During a press briefing in Augusta on Tuesday, Maine’s Democratic legislators called upon Congress to "support MaineCare" and oppose reductions to Medicaid.

In Washington, it remains uncertain how Republicans intend to reduce the budget by $1.5 trillion without making significant cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicaid.

• Also read: MaineGeneral plans to reduce pediatric mental health services.

“ Seventy percent of our nursing home residents depend on this funding," stated Democratic Senate President Mattie Daughtry. "Saying we care about elderly Mainers and future generations isn’t sufficient; we must demonstrate it. Taking away their support would be like pulling the rug out from underneath them.”

Republican leadership has assured time and again that they will not reduce funding for Medicaid to finance the President’s tax reductions. However, their conflict appears to stem from Republicans adopting a far broader interpretation of what counts as waste, fraud, and abuse.