Maine Residents to Protest Cuts to Medicaid Program

Groups representing Maine's elderly, children and others covered by Medicaid will bring their concerns over Gov. Paul LePage's proposal to cut the program to state lawmakers this week, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.

People are expected to discuss the impacts of cuts to prescription drugs, mental health, dental and other services. The protestors are expected to stress that the cuts will impose new costs on the healthcare system by forcing more people to go to the hospital and shifting costs onto private insurers.

Gov. LePage proposed the cuts to the Medicaid program to avoid a $221 million shortfall. The administration said the program has outgrown Mainers' ability to pay their share of growing costs that can't be sustained. Gov. LePage launched on his website a fact sheet that explains the cuts, which will help to balance the state budget.

According to the administration, Medicaid accounts for 21 percent of Maine's $6 billion, two-year budget.

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