As Maine Gov. Paul LePage faces continued criticism over his staunch opposition to Medicaid expansion, he has doubled down on his promise to fight the measure if it lacks a plan for sustained funding, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Mr. LePage said any Medicaid expansion proposal without long-term funding would put "red ink" in Maine's budget.
"The one thing I know is nobody can force me to put the state in red ink, and I will not do that,” Mr. LePage said in a radio interview, according to the Portland Press Herald. "I will go to jail before I put the state in red ink. And if the court tells me I have to do it, then we’re going to be going to jail.”"
Maine attorney general and gubernatorial nominee Janet Mills recently tweeted her support of Medicaid expansion, writing "Medicaid expansion will inject millions of federal dollars into our state, help create jobs, strengthen our economy, support rural hospitals and enable more than 70,000 people to gain health insurance. That's why I pledge to fully implement it and protect it as governor."