AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has rejected proposals to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, but state voters may have the final say.
Maine Equal Justice Partners said Thursday that it has in excess of the 61,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot next fall.
The group says it collected 65,000 signatures on Election Day alone and that signatures continue to be collected to ensure a surplus.
The referendum could be rendered moot if the Legislature passes the proposal and overrides an anticipated veto.
Republican Sen. Thomas Saviello of Wilton said he already has submitted a title for a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to cover another 70,000 Mainers.
The machinations come against a backdrop of possible a possible Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act altogether.
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