Maine Votes to Expand Medicaid

Maine voters voted Tuesday to expand Medicaid eligibility in their state, making it the first state to do so by referendum.

With 68 percent of boxes reporting Tuesday night, the initiative was ahead by almost 20 points — 59 percent voting yes, 41 percent no.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed Medicaid expansion bills six times. It is unpopular with Republicans, but Maine's legislature is almost evenly divided politically, and the state went for Hillary Clinton in 2016's presidential election.

Making more people eligible for Medicaid coverage was part of the Affordable Care Act passed by Democrats in Congress and signed by President Barack Obama. But it was challenged in court by Republican governors, who succeeded in having the mandate removed.

Even more conservative rural districts voted in favor of the expansion.

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