LePage, Pingree continue to clash

PORTLAND — A feud between Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree is continuing for a second day, with the governor suggesting that Pingree is part of the "jet-setting Washington culture that keeps people dependent on government handouts."

Harry Hamburg/Associated Press

This AP file photo shows U.S. Rep Chellie Pingree, D, speaking on Feb. 15, 2011. Currently a health insurance feud has broken out between herself and Governor Paul LePage.

Pat Wellenbach/Associated Press

While this AP file photo shows Gov. Paul LePage reacting to members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee in this photo from March, 2011, he has recently started to butt heads with U.S. Rep Chellie Pingree, D, over health insurance policies.

The governor also sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius saying Pingree made claims "that are, at best, misleading, and at worst, false."

LePage was angered Wednesday when he learned that Pingree had urged Sebelius in a letter to reject Medicaid cuts approved by the Legislature that will eliminate coverage for 21,000 Mainers.

Pingree contends the cuts violate the Affordable Health Care Act. LePage contends the cuts are OK because the Supreme Court decision that upheld the law also limited congressional power to expand Medicaid.

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