Proposed Medicaid Expansion in Maine

Important Facts

Maine previously expanded MaineCare in 2001 to able-bodied adults

In 13 years, MaineCare enrollment has more than doubled and cost has grown by $1.3 billion

318,100 Mainers are on MaineCare now. With expansion, enrollment will grow by nearly 100,000 in two years
Since Maine already expanded to cover parents, it will not get the same 100 percent federal funding that other states will Expansion is estimated to cost Mainers $807 million over 10 years With expansion, MaineCare will consume 45.3% of the overall state budget in 2023-24 Half of those eligible for expanded Medicaid are already eligible for near-free private plans that provide better care at no cost to Maine State taxpayers The existing MaineCare program consumes 23 percent of the state budget and has cannibalized funding for education, roads and public safety Maine's expansion in 2001 led to broken budgets and unpaid hospital debt Maine has over 3,000 disabled and/or elderly on waitlists for critical services that would allow them to continue to live in their own homes versus more expensive nursing homes and long-term facilities

We must prioritize tax dollars to the neediest among us, our aging parents and grandparents and the physically and intellectually disabled, before we consider expanding to non-disabled, childless adults