AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Republican Gov. Paul LePage is crossing swords with Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree over proposed Medicaid cuts that the governor wants to balance Maine's budget.
Pingree wrote to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius this week asking her to reaffirm federal regulations prohibiting big cuts in Maine's Medicaid program.
LePage previously said he wants to cut Medicaid in three areas. But Pingree said those cuts violate the Affordable Health Care Act that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. She also said the cuts would "adversely affect the health and well-being of Maine residents."
LePage responded by saying Pingree is "ignoring the will of the Maine Legislature and putting her ideological views ahead of the Maine people." He says Maine, unlike Congress, has to balance its budget.