BANGOR — Second Congressional District Democratic candidate Matt Dunlap highlighted his support for Medicare for All Thursday, drawing a contrast with his opponent on the issue of government sponsored healthcare.
Dunlap, who is the State Auditor, said the U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world that does not offer some form of universal healthcare.
“People should not have to live in fear of a slip and fall on the ice driving them into bankruptcy,” Dunlap said during an event in Bangor.
Dunlap said concerns about healthcare, from reductions in Medicaid funding to cuts in subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, are the top issue on voters’ minds this election cycle.
He and former Republican Gov. Paul LePage will face off on Nov. 3 in the race for the district currently held by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat. Republicans see it as a prime pickup opportunity as they work to preserve their narrow majority in the House.
LePage senior advisor Brent Littlefield said during LePage’s time as governor, he paid off “massive hospital debt” to keep Maine hospitals afloat. He said Medicare for All would reduce care options for Mainers.
“Matt Dunlap wants to eliminate private health insurance, including union and work health plans, taking away health choices to turn it all over to the government,” Littlefield said.
Dunlap disputed the assertion that Medicare for All would eliminate private insurance.
“I think people could rely on the Medicare for All system, if they wanted to have supplements with private insurance as they do in other countries, that would certainly be available to them,” Dunlap said. “We’re not banning private insurance by any stretch of the imagination.”
Dunlap also criticized LePage for vetoing six bills to expand Medicaid in Maine and refusing to expand it even after voters approved it at the ballot box. At the time, LePage said he did not want the state to take on the additional cost of expanding the program.
Littlefield said LePage has long criticized government systems for not adequately reimbursing hospitals for the true cost of services.
“Paul LePage will prioritize ensuring our hospitals can stay open and we keep doctors and nurses in Maine for Maine patients,” he said.
Dunlap timed the Thursday event to mark the anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid.
He said calls for universal healthcare in the U.S. date back to 1912. But it wasn’t until 1965 that President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation to create both types of government health care, one for those with low incomes and the other for the elderly.
“It shouldn’t take another 61 years to expand this program to everyone, so they don’t have to think about taking care of themselves,” Dunlap said.
When asked how to pay for it, Dunlap said if the government decides to do it, the money is available.
“If we make this a priority we can get it done, 100%,” he said.
