Like many of you, I woke up this morning to the news of the killing of a security guard, an attempted robbery of a 7-11, a car-jacking and car chase, explosions and gunshots, a dead bombing suspect, and police officer … Continue reading
Those of us who follow Maine politics have tended to dismiss the idea that there could be a primary challenge to Senator Susan Collins. However, in an article about how proposed laws on guns are dividing the political parties, the … Continue reading
After the story broke about Gov. LePage’s March 21 meeting with Unemployment Insurance appeals hearing officers, I introduced four reasons why this could be a big deal. Here is some of what we know about those questions and issues: 1. … Continue reading
Reports that Gov. LePage admonished unemployment insurance hearing officers, telling them they were deciding too many cases in favor of workers, could be a very big deal. According to reporter Chris Williams: Administrative hearing officers, whose salaries are federally funded, … Continue reading
Expanding Medicaid is popular, so popular that Gov. Paul LePage, who strongly opposes government involvement in health care, has tried to appear interested in doing it. (His proposal includes elements counter to federal law and therefore can’t be accepted.) Passed 48 … Continue reading
With all the back and forth between advocates and opponents of Medicaid expansion, little attention has been paid to public opinion. And, if there’s anything that’s clear as can be, it’s that Americans support strong funding for Medicare and Medicaid. … Continue reading
With various polls indicating that Rep. Mike Michaud would be a serious Democratic candidate for Maine governor, incumbent Gov. LePage is taking notice. One of the most critical policy questions facing the state is whether to expand Medicaid. This would … Continue reading
See correction/update in post, added 5 hours after initial post. Maine is a lightly-polled state, at least compared to larger states and the nation at whole. Therefore it’s not surprising that every poll that’s released gets a fair amount of … Continue reading
Some medical situations hit you like a kick to the gut. A friend has a car accident with injuries requiring hospitalization, surgery and an extended recovery. A heart attack kills a loved one. You hear cancer is likely. And then … Continue reading
While Gov. LePage’s statements that he is open to expanding Medicaid (which is called MaineCare in Maine), have garnered him all sorts of news stories and analysis, one thing has gotten virtually no attention: His opening proposal is a completely … Continue reading
