Sen. Susan Collins has expressed her dismay on local news outlets about proposed cuts in Medicaid funding as part of the federal budget that passed in the House and is scheduled to come before the Senate. Collins expressed concern about cuts to Medicaid affecting children, the elderly, frail and those with disabilities, veterans and the homeless. Medicaid was one area that President Trump promised to protect.

According to the Maine Morning Star, proposed cuts here could affect more than 400,000 enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Improvement Program. In general, rural states are at greater risk from these cuts because of distance to food and medical resources. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to 172,000 Mainers, with proposed cuts possibly leading to increased food insecurity. Compounding this problem is that local food programs, often relied on in emergencies, are already being used more because of rising food prices.

These bedrock programs are vital to keeping people safe and healthy. Without them people are put at great risk to health and life. Beyond the individual and family impacts, these cuts, according to the Maine Center for Economic Policy, could destabilize Maine’s economy as well as the economy nationwide.

I urge everyone to take action by calling or writing to express their concerns on these issues with Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King.

Linda Albert
Freeport