Susan Collins’ Role in Controversial Medicaid Bill Under Scrutiny
Maine Senator Susan Collins has found herself at the center of a political storm after comments made during an October 6 radio interview. Despite campaigning as a critic of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), which will remove 40,000 Mainers from Medicaid, Collins inadvertently suggested she had a significant role in the bill’s formation.
Although Collins has publicly opposed the OBBB, she was instrumental in its passage. During the interview, she inadvertently grouped herself with other Republican supporters of the bill, highlighting her contribution to a provision she authored. “I do want to bring up one other irony, and that is that the Democrats are proposing in their version of the continuing resolution to repeal a $50 billion fund to help rural hospitals,” Collins said. “And this was something that is near and dear to my heart, because I came up with the concept and authored this fund, which was included in the bill that we passed earlier this year.”
This statement has raised eyebrows, particularly because the Democrats’ resolution aims to prevent a government shutdown, reverse the Medicaid cuts from the OBBB, and continue Affordable Care Act subsidies—initiatives Collins claims to support. The fund for rural hospitals, which Collins proudly mentions, is intended to mitigate revenue losses for rural health providers due to Medicaid cuts, but would be unnecessary if those cuts were overturned.
Collins’ actions further complicate her stance. While she voted against the OBBB on the Senate floor, she had previously supported moving the bill forward from the Appropriations Committee, a crucial step toward its eventual approval. The timing of this vote coincided with a $2 million donation to her PAC from New York billionaire Stephen A. Schwarzman, as reported by Rolling Stone.
Public sentiment is notably negative, with a KFF tracking poll indicating that 64% of adults view the OBBB unfavorably. For Mainers, the stakes are high—approximately 85% of those enrolled in Obamacare could face increased healthcare premiums if subsidies aren’t extended.
As Collins prepares to seek a sixth term, she faces potential challenges from several Democrats, including Maine Governor Janet Mills, oysterman Graham Platner, and activist Jordan Wood.
For further details, read the original article on American Journal News.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
