I am writing as a concerned American, and as a pediatrician who has practiced in Brunswick for 46 years. Each day I am stunned by news reports about actions that negatively affect what I have spent my life doing — helping the young to grow strong and healthy.
Most recently, I have been shocked by the details of the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill.” This bill will certainly have a big impact on the lives of our young people, but it will be anything but beautiful.
The “Big, Beautiful Bill” will drastically reduce funding for programs that help disadvantaged children access food, education, and healthcare, while creating large tax cuts for the wealthy. In Maine’s pediatric practices, roughly 50 percent of our patient visits are recipients of Medicaid. These are families from lower income households and are often children with complex medical needs.
A work requirement for able-bodied adults to receive Medicaid is a great concept, but has not been successful in those states that have tried these programs. While food insecurity is widespread, tightening WIC and SNAP eligibility ignores the fact that poor nutrition for our children affects their ability to learn and grow up to have successful adult lives.
To improve our nation, we must invest in areas that will increase health and readiness for adult life. I urge Sen. Susan Collins and Angus King to reject the “Big, Beautiful Bill” and ensure that we take care of our most vulnerable children so they can have big, beautiful futures.
Lawrence Losey
Brunswick
