Access to health care and safeguarding the public’s health will be two of the most important challenges facing Maine’s next governor. Fortunately, Hannah Pingree is running for the Democratic nomination for governor to help Maine meet these challenges. 

Thanks to the Republicans in Washington, the tax credits thousands of Mainers used to make their monthly health insurance premiums affordable have been eliminated. Thousands more will be affected by cuts to Medicaid that will go into effect next year. As Mainers lose their insurance, more of our hospitals, clinics and nursing homes will close, and we all will have a harder time getting care.

Further, the Trump administration severely cut public health funding and actively undermines trust in vaccinations to prevent flu, COVID, measles and other diseases. This is already increasing illness and hospitalizations. Maine will need to do even more to provide trustworthy public health services to protect our health.

Seeing these challenges unfold now, and promising to get worse in the future, motivated me to join with dozens of other nurses, doctors and health professionals from across our state to support Hannah Pingree for governor. Hannah has the depth of knowledge, connection with Maine people and communities and leadership experience we need — ranging from local school board member, to being the speaker of Maine’s House of Representatives, to serving as the director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future — to bring us together to solve these complex problems. 

Please join me in voting for Hannah Pingree.

Paul Kuehnert
RN and former deputy director of Maine CDC
Hallowell