Maine citizens who have been concerned and fearful about the proposed federal cuts to Medicaid can sleep a little better due to the leadership of Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Maine’s own Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. Smith, who proposed the amendment to stop the devastating cuts to Medicaid, won a very hard-fought battle on the Senate floor recently. Last year, Sen. Snowe co-sponsored a bill, introduced by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, salvaging billions in proposed cuts from the federal Medicaid budget essential to the health of many Mainers.

Though this current victory will not prevent future attempts at gouging the hearts and health of people in serious need, it is clear that a majority of senators recognize the critical importance of maintaining essential basic health services. Though most of us do not need or will not use Medicaid, it is reassuring to know that if something devastating happens in your life, such programs exist.

All the senators who voted to save Medicaid, and especially our Sens. Collins and Snowe, deserve our thanks.

John L. Painter, Lewiston

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