Health care is a necessity, but its importance isn’t always obvious until you lose it. Rural hospital cuts mean some women can’t get obstetric or maternity care near the home. Federal policies like the Big Beautiful Bill will cut off tens of thousands of Mainers from coverage and close more clinics. While it’s not always at the front of mind, health care access can mean life or death, or leaving a community you love, or financial struggle. Health care is nonnegotiable, and we will fight so all Mainers have care.
Safety nets like Medicare and Medicaid are crucial to many residents, and we must make sure they stay solvent for the future. They can mean the difference between a peaceful retirement and a lack of stability for older or disabled Mainers, leaving them out in the cold or adding more pressure for their families. We will protect against cuts and expand coverage. The only way for the state to thrive is if care is affordable.
From young parents to seniors, we all need different treatments. A fair health care system is diverse. Promoting prenatal, birthing, and postnatal care, covering all vaccinations, and caring for our senior residents means families and communities can grow without fear. If we want Maine to grow, we need to support families at every life stage.
To increase access and diversify care, Maine needs more doctors and nurses. That means investing in medical education in-state, scientific research, and supporting more benefits for medical workers, like student loan relief for nurses and protecting their right to unionize. This won’t just attract more medical professionals and fill the gaps in the system, but also help young people in Maine join a vital profession that helps the community.
Maine’s future depends on health care. Our families, seniors, and new residents need to thrive, and for that to happen, a stable healthcare system is invaluable. We need to make sure all Mainers have a great quality of life, to support families, and advance our healthcare system. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s what will make sure our economy and culture remain vital.
