Governor Paul LePage ignited a vigorous public debate this week with his proposal to cut about $220 million in state funding for services important to working families, children, seniors, the disabled and other at risk communities. MECEP has been in the thick of the public discussion. Here is a sample of print and broadcast coverage over the past two days, including editorials in all three of the state’s major daily newspapers.
Bangor Daily News
News
LePage’s proposed MaineCare cuts leave some reeling, others hopeful (12/8)
65,000 MaineCare recipients to lose health coverage under LePage plan (12/7)
Editorial
Safety net should be shrunk, not shredded (12/8)
Op Ed
Governor’s budget mismanagement will hurt poor and elderly (David Farmer) (12/8)
Portland Press Herald
News
LePage proposes dropping 65,000 Mainers off Medicaid (12/7)
Editorial
Our View: LePage’s MaineCare plan no way to cut costs (12/8)
Kennebec Journal
News
Chance for MaineCare overhaul may not last (12/8)
(Lewiston) Sun Journal
News
Battle lines drawn on LePage’s DHHS cuts (12/8)
Local agencies react to LePage plan (12/8)
‘It will have a real impact’: LePage announces sweeping changes to MaineCare (12/7)
Editorial
Region’s health should be asset to New England (12/7)
An evaluation of public benefits, private insurance (12/6)
MPBN
Democrats: LePage Plan Will Shift Medicaid Costs to Private Insurance and Hospitals (12/8)
MaineCare Recipients Unsure Where to Turn as Coverage Loss Looms (12/8)
LePage Proposes Deep Cuts in Medicaid (12/7)
Advocates for Poor Decry LePage’s Proposed Medicaid Cuts (12/7)
WABI-TV
Governor Proposes Big Changes To Medicaid Amidst Budget Shortfall (12/7)
WCSH-TV/WLBZ-TV
LePage calls for Medicaid cuts to bridge gap (12/7)
Strimling & Harriman on Medicaid cuts (12/7)
WGME-TV
Organizations voice concerns about proposed DHHS budget cuts (12/8)
DHHS Proposed Cuts (12/7)
