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Political Brew: The politics of Medicaid and DHHS

Gov. Paul LePage doesn't have to face voters again. But will his staunch opposition to Medicaid expansion hurt his would-be successor?

(NEWS CENTER Maine) — Gov. LePage won a victory in the legislature this week when lawmakers failed to override his veto of a bill to fund expansion of the Maine Care program. And, facing a court case on the matter, said he would go to jail before he puts Maine's budget into the red.

NEWS CENTER Maine political analysts Phil Harriman and John Richardson say this is sure to be a major issue in the race for governor this fall.

Former GOP state Sen. Phil Harriman says Republican gubernatorial nominee Shawn Moody can't just say the program can't be funded.

"I think Moody needs to take the approach that if we're going to funded, here's where the money's going to come from, this is how we're going to pay for it, here's where expenses are going to have to be cut," Harriman said.

Democrat John Richardson, a former speaker of the House, says this is a great wedge issue for Democratic nominee Janet Mills. But he agrees that Moody needs to find a way to get on board.

"Moody needs to say, 'yes, I can find the money. I can't say where yet. But once I'm elected, sure, I will look for it,'" Richardson said. "I don't think you can run on a platform that says 'I'm not going to expand Medicaid.'"

Harriman and Richardson also talked about the news that Gov. LePage is putting together legislation to improve child protective services in the wake of the deaths of two little girls.

Harriman says LePage has recognized the need for delivering more services. But according to Harriman, "The question is, 'are they going to fix all of the problems?' No, they're probably not."

Richardson believes lawmakers have a right to be skeptical about this as yet unseen proposal.

"Where is the money going to come from? If you can't find money for Medicaid, where are you going to find the money for this kind of effort?" he said. "The governor will likely pick a funding source that will irritate one side or the other, rather than work with both sides, and that's going to be the rub."

The analysts also discussed President Trump's choice to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, and the choices lawmakers such as Sen. Susan Collins have to make.

They also look at the rationale behind Trump's aggressive faceoff with NATO allies.

Political Brew airs Sundays on The Morning Report.

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