Governor Mills Celebrates Third Anniversary of Voter-Approved Medicaid Expansion in Maine

Statement

Three years ago today, on her first day in office -- January 3, 2019 -- Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order expanding voter-approved Medicaid in Maine. Governor Mills issued the following statement today:

"As a result of Medicaid expansion, nearly 90,000 people across Maine are able to see a doctor, receive preventive care, afford medications, and take care of themselves when they become sick -- all of which are incredibly important as we continue to tackle the pandemic," said Governor Janet Mills. "Maine people knew that expanding health care was not only the right thing to do for our people, but it was also the right thing to do for our economy. My Administration will continue to fight for more accessible and affordable health care."

Expanding Medicaid, which was approved overwhelmingly by Maine people in 2017 at the ballot box, was the Mills Administration's first step in improving health care for Maine people. While 89,421 are currently covered through the expansion, it has helped over 120,000 residents of Maine in the three years since its launch -- nearly one in ten people. The Federal government pays 90 percent of the cost of this coverage, which has reduced hospitals' cost of caring for uninsured patients, a move that has been especially important during the pandemic.

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