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I believe Sen. Susan Collins has let the citizens of Maine and of the country down big time. I think she only voted against what I call the Big Bad Repulsive bill when it was clear the Republicans had enough votes to pass it. She could have worked to keep it from coming out of committee and never see the light of day but instead voted to bring it out for a vote. She could have more strongly condemned the bill and worked her power channels with other senators rather than mostly showing her usual “concern.”
I think any concessions that she got for rural health care are simply a reward for her capitulation to President Donald Trump and the price will be the need for more capitulation in the future.
I am a medical oncologist and I will be sad when patients are no longer covered by MaineCare or by Medicare, and will be forced to make difficult decisions about how to get their cancer care. I will be sad when we see rural hospitals close and don’t be surprised when you see our largest health care systems no longer able to provide the level of care that we all deserve.
Let Collins know if you think she has let us down and deserves zero credit for her essentially meaningless “no” vote. The many ramifications of this bill that showers benefits on the richest and punishes those who are in most need are, I believe, on her shoulders.
Philip Brooks
Bar Harbor
