News

Court Questions Whether Maine Has Money to Expand Medicaid

Court Questions Whether Maine Has Money to Expand Medicaid

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine’s high court is weighing whether to allow Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to continue to block federal funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion.

Justices on Wednesday heard the administration’s arguments against a court order requiring the submission of paperwork needed for $500 million in annual federal funding. Justices questioned whether Maine can rely on existing state funds for Maine’s share of expansion or whether lawmakers must specifically set aside funding.

Nearly three out of five voters last fall voted to expand Medicaid to 80,000 people by July 2. Advocates are encouraging people to sign up.

LePage vetoed legislation to fund Maine’s expansion costs and suggests new hospital taxes could cover expansion.

LePage recently said he’d risk jail before expanding Medicaid and putting Maine in “red ink.”

Latest Headlines

3 hours ago in Local

Maine State Police Looking for Info on a 35-year-old Unsolved Murder

Christopher Rines was last seen on April 12, 1991. His body was found in Mill Pond in Pittsfield, exactly month after he went missing.

4 hours ago in Local

Poland Community School Set to Partially Reopen After Flooding

RSU 16 says classes will only take place in the single-story section of the building

4 hours ago in Local

Two Arrested in Auburn Drug Raid

Officers say they conducted the raid at 3:05 am Saturday

4 hours ago in Local

Maine State Police Looking for Info on a 47-year-old Unsolved Murder/Arson Case

The body of the homeowner, Thomas Huntley, was found in the living room of the burned down house. The fire was found to be suspicious

12 hours ago in Local

No More Cellphones In Maine Schools

The total cost to implement the ban is about $350,000.