Many who oppose accepting federal funds to provide health coverage to people with low incomes often talk about how these folks are all able-bodied, but that’s not what I see.

At the public hearing, in the media and in my community, I’ve heard about people unable to make enough income to afford the ever-increasing cost of health insurance. Many are adults between 50 and 64 who don’t have coverage for a variety of reasons. Some lost employment because of shutdowns and now struggle to get by with part-time and temporary jobs. Others were hit by some health-care crisis like cancer and don’t qualify for disability but are unable to work full time or work at all until they recover.

Many are women who have a limited work history because their primary job was raising children and caring for elderly or disabled family members. Several spoke about living in rural areas where there are few good-paying jobs, and where lack of affordable child care and transportation create barriers to full-time employment.

It’s a shame that some don’t get the reality that many in Maine face. I encourage readers to check out covermainenow.com then contact their legislators to help them understand what’s at stake, and urge them to support these health-care dollars.

Chris RusnovWinslow

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