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LePage on GOP Health Plan: 'I Don't Think This is an Improvement'

Robert F. Bukaty
/
Associated Press/file
Gov. Paul LePage delivers the State of the State address to the Legislature Feb. 7 at the State House.

AUGUSTA, Maine - The plan by U.S. House Republican leaders to replace the Affordable Care Act is coming under fire from an unlikely source - Maine Gov. Paul LePage.

Before the House GOP health care replacement bill even has a price tag, LePage said Tuesday on Bangor radio station WVOM that he doesn’t like it.

"What I see and I am reading, and what has happened here in Maine over the last 15 years, I don’t think this is an improvement. And I am heading to Washington later in the week to discuss this with people in Washington.”

LePage said he is discouraged and disappointed with the House GOP plan, which would use tax
credits, and grants to states, to replace federal subsidies. LePage says the health care exchanges with their sliding scale fees is a better way to provide broader health care coverage.

He says Maine, with the oldest population in the nation, would be hurt by the GOP house plan because older consumers could wind up being charged more.

 

 

 

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.