“The Legislature must now step up and identify a way to fund this, and it is their duty to the people of Maine to identify a way to pay for expansion that is both fiscally prudent and sustainable,” said LePage, in his letter. (See attached PDF for the entire letter)

“Implementation and funding of Medicaid expansion must be based on the cost estimates of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and must meet four basic principles. Following these principles will avoid the havoc caused by the previous expansion, which nearly destroyed the state budget and created a $750 million debt to our hospitals,” the Governor noted.

“The Governor’s principles are as follows:
”1. No tax increases on Maine families or businesses.
”2. No use of the Budget Stabilization Fund or this year’s money that will be directed to the fund with the goal of reaching $300 million; diversion of these funds would drain a key budget stability resource and only provide funding on a one-time basis.
”3. No use of other one-time funding mechanisms or budget gimmicks.
”4. Full funding of our Section 21 and 29 waitlists and no reduction of services or funding for our elderly or disabled populations and prioritization of our fiscal obligations, including Riverview.”