Court questions whether Maine has money to expand Medicaid
Legal Outlook
Maine's high court is weighing whether to allow the LePage administration to continue to block federal funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion.
Justices on Wednesday heard the administration's arguments against a court order requiring the submission of paperwork needed for $500 million in annual federal funding. Justices questioned whether Maine can rely on existing state funds for Maine's share of expansion or whether lawmakers must specifically set aside funding.
Nearly three out of five voters last fall voted to expand Medicaid to 80,000 people by July 2. Advocates are encouraging people to sign up.
LePage vetoed legislation to fund Maine's expansion costs and suggests new hospital taxes could cover expansion.
LePage recently said he'd risk jail before expanding Medicaid and putting Maine in "red ink."
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