Release: Medicaid Expansion is NOT the Answer for Maine

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2014

The Maine Heritage Policy Center publishes report analyzing the adverse economic impact of expanding Obamacare in Maine.

PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Heritage Policy Center, Maine’s premier free market think tank, on Thursday released a report analyzing the adverse impact of expanding Medicaid pursuant to the federal Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) on Maine’s economy.

“As policymakers debate whether to expand eligibility for Maine’s medical welfare program, they should bear in mind the detrimental impact such an expansion would have on Maine’s private sector.” said J. Scott Moody, MHPC’s CEO and Chief Economist.

“Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid is not free. Our analyses finds that Maine families stand to lose up to $2,638 of income or the equalivent loss of 30,988 jobs. More government spending on welfare will mean higher taxes for Maine families and less funding for education, public safety, and infrastructure. Over the long term, expanding Medicaid under Obamacare will crowd out private sector economic activity, thus shrinking private sector personal income and depressing private sector job creation,” he said.

“Although progressive policymakers and two would-be governors believe Maine needs to grow our welfare state, the path to prosperity lies in growing the private sector.”

Click here to download a copy of the study.

For more information, please visit www.mainepolicy.org.