GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET A “RED HERRING”

Senate Democrats ask for real numbers before being asked to evaluate budget proposal

AUGUSTA – Senate Democrats released the following statement in response to Governor Paul LePage’s supplemental budget proposal to drastically restructure Medicaid within the Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier this month, his administration announced a shortfall of $121 million within that department.

“Today the governor and Commissioner Mayhew came no closer to providing answers to where, how, and why there’s more than a $120 million shortfall of tax payer money,” said Senate Democratic Leader Barry Hobbins of Saco. “Look, when I leave the grocery store I check my receipt to make sure that I haven’t been overcharged. We should expect this same level of scrutiny by those in charge of taxpayer money.”

The governor’s budget released this afternoon laid out a drastic plan for restructuring Medicaid, including changing eligibility which would eliminate Medicaid coverage to more than 44,000 Maine people. Other changes include drastically reducing critical services like drugs for the elderly, dental care, Fund for a Healthy Maine, and the Head Start program.

“Governor LePage’s budget puts the cart before the horse,” said Senator Margaret Craven, who serves on the Health and Human Services Committee. “He has presented us with cuts to programs before telling us what the numbers are. It’s remarkable that the governor even thinks that we can have a discussion about the budget without the numbers.”

During the budget briefing, Governor LePage agreed that certain numbers needed to be verified. DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew expects to release budget data tomorrow.

“At this point, without actual numbers, this proposed budget is nothing more than a red herring, disguising the primary issue of financial accountability,” said Senator Dawn Hill of York who also serves on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. “We have a $120 million shortfall with no real numbers or facts to substantiate the claims. I agree with the governor that the numbers still need to be verified. And right now we’re being asked to be reactionary and knee-jerk instead of doing what’s in the best interest of Maine people.”