AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Some lawmakers say that Maine’s Republican governor is floating a new tax on hospitals to pay for voter-approved Medicaid expansion.
Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau said Monday that Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has sent word that the governor is considering the idea.
Thibodeau said if proposed such legislation would typically receive a public hearing. LePage’s office didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment.
Mainers voted last fall to expand Medicaid to over 70,000 low-income adults by July 2.
But Medicaid expansion is on hold as LePage’s administration fights a lawsuit by advocates calling on the governor to stop blocking expansion.
LePage’s administration has argued lawmakers must first appropriate money for expansion.
Lawmakers last week approved legislation directing up to $54.5 million in surplus funds and tobacco settlement money for expansion.
