An effort is underway in Washington to undermine the Medicaid program — what we know as MaineCare.

Together the House-passed American Health Care Act and President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget proposal would cut federal Medicaid spending by half in 10 years. Moreover, the AHCA would also shift Medicaid from a guaranteed benefit available to seniors, children and people with disabilities to a fixed — and much smaller — pot of money for the people eligible for the program.

This is not reform. This is an effort to strip away a program that serves the most vulnerable Mainers. Nationwide, Medicaid covers two-thirds of seniors in nursing homes, 39 percent of American children and more than 10 million people with disabilities.

The fate of MaineCare — and the seniors, children and people with disabilities that rely on the program — is now in the hands of the Senate. We urge Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to reject any bill that cuts or caps federal Medicaid spending.

Scott Morrison

vice president of Maine operations

Ascentria Care Alliance

Scott Hamilton

board member

Ascentria Care Alliance — Maine

Auburn