Recently, Gov. Paul LePage released a budget proposal that includes drastic cuts to Medicaid. Not only would 65,000 Mainers lose coverage under his plan, but thousands of people with cancer would see their coverage completely eliminated.

That makes me sick.

Others, who would remain on Medicaid, would have their cancer prevention, treatment and services severely limited. Cancer patients would be limited to five hospital stays and 15 outpatient visits per year, which, I can assure you, is not nearly enough, and they would lose coverage or face limits on prescription drugs and treatment services.

Members of the Appropriations and Health and Human Services committees are currently reviewing the governor’s proposal. I urge them to reject his Medicaid cuts and protect those who rely on lifesaving cancer screenings and treatment.

I have family and friends, as I’m sure others do, who may be affected by this terrible proposal and I am disgusted. Battling cancer, or another chronic condition, is hard enough without having to worry about how to pay for medical bills or, worse, forgoing lifesaving treatment because you can’t afford the costs.

Diane Mitchell, Rumford

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