As an oncology social worker, I see the financial and health consequences that being uninsured has on the people of our state.

Being uninsured results in patients being diagnosed when their cancer is more advanced. Having more Mainers covered by health insurance will help reduce our cancer mortality rates by increasing access to preventive care and cancer screenings. If cancer is caught early, patients have far better health outcomes.

We are already paying significant costs for care of our uninsured Mainers. By expanding MaineCare we shift the burden away from hospital and clinic uncompensated care and to the federal government. The federal government will pay 90 percent of the cost of Medicaid expansion.

We have an opportunity to not only improve health outcomes for Mainers but also to create state budget savings. If we as a community are going to commit to provide necessary medical care to all Mainers, then expanding MaineCare seems like a clear choice.

Carrie Maynard

Yarmouth