Maine Senator Susan Collins found herself in an unexpected spotlight after seemingly claiming responsibility for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), despite its impact of removing 40,000 Mainers from Medicaid.
Collins, who has publicly opposed the bill as one of the few Republicans dissenting, was instrumental in its progression into law.
During an October 6 radio broadcast, Collins spoke against a Democrat-supported government funding bill. In doing so, she inadvertently grouped herself with Republicans backing OBBB and highlighted a key provision she authored.
“I do want to bring up one other irony, and that is that the Democrats are proposing in their version of the continuing resolution to repeal a $50 billion fund to help rural hospitals,” Collins stated. “And this was something that is near and dear to my heart, because I came up with the concept and authored this fund, which was included in the bill that we passed earlier this year.”
However, this remark was misleading. The Democrats’ resolution aims to end the government shutdown, overturn OBBB’s Medicaid reductions, and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies—initiatives Collins purportedly supports.
The rural hospital fund is intended to counterbalance the financial losses rural health providers face due to Medicaid cuts. Should these cuts be rescinded, the necessity for the fund would disappear.
Although Collins opposed OBBB during the Senate vote, she had previously supported its advancement from the Appropriations Committee, facilitating its eventual approval. Rolling Stone revealed that her PAC received a $2 million donation from New York billionaire Stephen A. Schwarzman immediately following this vote.
According to a KFF tracking poll, 64% of adults disapprove of OBBB. Additionally, if the subsidies lapse, 85% of Mainers on Obamacare would face increased health care premiums.
Collins is anticipated to run for a sixth term next year, facing competition from Democrats like Maine Gov. Janet Mills, oysterman Graham Platner, and activist Jordan Wood.
The post Collins says she opposed GOP bill—then brags about writing it appeared first on American Journal News.
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