This guest column, written by Paul Kuehnert, was originally published in the Maine Trust for Local News.
Massive Republican funding cuts and backwards health policies coming out of Trump’s Washington, D.C., have created a growing health and healthcare crisis in Maine and across the country. Attacks on reproductive healthcare, loss of access to subsidies that made health insurance affordable, cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and affordable housing programs — and undermining trust in childhood vaccinations and other public health programs — all contribute to this crisis affecting the health and well-being of Maine families.
Fortunately for us, Hannah Pingree is running for governor and is committed to addressing Maine’s health crisis. Hannah has the depth of knowledge, connection with Maine people and leadership experience needed to bring us together to implement solutions that will ensure access to healthcare and safeguard the public’s health.
Hannah’s bold, three-point prescription to address Maine’s health crisis includes:
- Making healthcare coverage affordable by creating a public insurance option for Mainers, reducing waste and increasing accountability.
- Making care available when and where we need it, including maternity care, reproductive healthcare, primary care, mental healthcare, and substance use treatment.
- Supporting our communities as healthy places with strong public health programs and a focus on affordable housing, food security, clean environments and supports for families.
Please join me in voting for Hannah Pingree for governor in November.
Paul Kuehnert, RN
former deputy director of the Maine CDC
Hallowell
