PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine Attorney General William Schneider says he's disappointed by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' rejection of a lawsuit seeking an expedited review of the state's Medicaid waiver.

He says the federal panel didn't address the state's legal arguments but focused on the administrative process, which gives the federal government 90 days to review the state's request. The federal appeals court said the state's lawsuit was premature, and rejected it on Thursday.

He says he continues to believe the state has a strong case, but that the state will now focus on the administrative process with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The Legislature voted to eliminate coverage for more than 20,000 people effective Oct. 1. But CMS by statute has until Nov. 1 to review the state's plan.

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