The bill introduced by Sens. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, and Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, would extend MaineCare benefits to an additional 60,000 Mainers for three years and establish a managed care system for all MaineCare beneficiaries.

Here’s what the gubernatorial candidates had to say about it:

Independent Eliot Cutler: “I applaud Republican Senators Katz and Saviello for putting Maine people before politics and offering a sensible solution that gives at least 60 thousand more people access to healthcare and doesn’t leave hundreds of millions of federal dollars on the table. In addition to covering people and saving our state money in the long run, this bill also implements the needed and necessary oversight to the MaineCare program. I hope that the Governor and legislators from both parties will get behind this proposal and do the right thing for so many Maine families and individuals who need and deserve health care coverage.”

Republican Gov. Paul LePage (statement issued by political adviser Brent Littlefield): “Coming from a life of poverty, Governor LePage is very concerned about the people of Maine who are most vulnerable including seniors and the disabled. Having just paid a massive welfare hospital debt the Governor is also concerned about finding Maine right back in the financial situation he just corrected.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud: “More than 70,000 Mainers are counting on the Legislature and governor to do the right thing and expand access to health care in Maine. It’s encouraging to see Democrats and Republicans working together on this important issue. Though I haven’t seen the specifics of the Katz and Saviello plan, movement toward a bipartisan compromise is movement in the right direction.”