The cruelty of cutting MaineCare | Column

Published: October 14, 2026

Updated: October 14, 2026

Category: Maine News

Author/Source: Maine News Now

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On Thursday, Oct. 1, over 1,000 immigrants across the state lost their MaineCare (Medicaid) coverage due to H.R.1 — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Those losing access to healthcare include victims of sex trafficking and abuse, and U.S. military veterans — all of whom are in the U.S. with permission from the federal government. People have already had medically necessary procedures like transplants canceled because they cannot pay for the necessary follow-up care. These draconian cuts to coverage for immigrants also prevent them from purchasing plans on the health insurance marketplace.

When health insurance is stripped away from high-needs populations, research repeatedly shows that they put off timely care, instead waiting until their condition becomes severe. This puts unnecessary and increasing pressure on Maine’s emergency services, where, as we all know, healthcare infrastructure is already under enormous strain. These healthcare cuts hurt our neighbors, our coworkers, and our friends, and they have the potential to hurt each of us, when we need access to care in an emergency.

Maine Equal Justice has been calling attention to these changes, and Alex Carter, MEJ’s senior policy advocate stated “I think one of the greatest myths about so many of these changes is that it’s about saving money, but when people go without necessary healthcare and treatment, the long-term effects of that are much higher, healthcare costs and a much higher burden on our healthcare system … There is no good rationale other than cruelty.”

These are only the first wave of cuts to health insurance coverage, with many cuts scheduled to take place after the midterm elections, at the beginning of 2027. Beginning in January, tens of thousands more Mainers will lose health insurance to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, almost all of whom are U.S. citizens. The Maine Center for Economic Policy estimates around 29,000 Mainers will lose MaineCare in 2027. They estimate 5,966 people in Cumberland County, 4,088 in York County, 1,922 in Androscoggin County, and 441 in Sagadohoc County. Rural areas will be hit the hardest across the state. Thirty-four to 44% of all Mainers receiving MaineCare in our other 12 counties are estimated to lose coverage. The state of Maine’s own estimates are even higher, stating that over 31,000 people across the state will lose their health insurance in 2027.

The changes in H.R.1 that cut access to essential food and medical assistance also shift costs to the states. The state of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the increased cost to Maine for MaineCare will exceed $5 billion over the next 10 years.

Maine families are already under incredible financial stress from existing healthcare costs, and do not need to further bear the costs of tax cuts for the wealthy by paying higher taxes. According to Consumers for Affordable Health Care’s 2026 statewide survey:

• Two out of three Maine households reported adverse financial impacts because of medical bills, including struggling to pay for basic necessities such as food, heat, or housing, needing to take on additional debt, or having to rely upon savings.

• Six out of 10 households stated a major medical event would be a financial disaster.

• Four out of 10 households reported they have lost sleep worrying about medical costs.

The robber barons responsible for the Big Beautiful Bill are creating a future financial crisis for our state and they are burying working families, it is as simple and as cruel as that.

It can be incredibly maddening and frustrating to watch the intentional dismantling of systems designed to take care of those who are most vulnerable and most in need. Those who work in healthcare, or those who are sick, or are taking care of a sick loved one, must face these frustrations every day.

There are things that can be done by each of us. We need to take collective care of each other while holding those in power accountable. Before and after the upcoming elections, Oasis Free Clinics will continue to provide no-cost, patient-centered care to adults in Maine. We continue to need clinical and administrative volunteers. To meet the growing needs, we hope you can learn more about what we do at Oasis Free Clinics and why we do it: We believe healthcare is a human right. Support for Oasis, and for Maine’s other free safety net clinics, is increasingly needed. We hope you can consider adding your support at this critical moment.

You can find out about our Brunswick clinic, at 331 Maine St., by visiting oasisfreeclinics.org, or contacting me at [email protected].

Danny Muller is the executive director of Oasis Free Clinics.