AUGUSTA—On Thursday, Gov. Janet T. Mills signed an executive order directing the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to begin the implementation of Medicaid expansion.

Senate President Troy Jackson released the following statement:

“Today marks a huge win for the health and well-being of our state. Medicaid expansion is essential to keeping the doors on our rural hospitals open, providing individuals with the tools to combat addiction, and stabilizing health care costs for everyone. Not to mention, it will provide health care coverage to an estimated 70,000 Mainers.

“It’s refreshing to have a governor who respects the will of the voters and prioritizes the health of Maine people. No Mainer should have to forgo care when they are sick or injured. This move brings us one step closer to that goal.”

###