Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills is sticking to her campaign promise to expand Medicaid.
Mills announced on her first full day in office that she's seeking "expedited" approval of benefits for thousands retroactive to July 2.
She told reporters at her first news conference Thursday that the move will help eligible Mainers "to obtain the benefits that they are due."
Mills said her executive order directs Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to amend that Medicaid expansion plan and adopt regulations to allow Mainers to enroll. The order also directs the department to work with lawmakers to sustainably fund Maine's share of Medicaid expansion.
Former Republican Gov. Paul LePage filed a court-ordered plan to expand Medicaid, but also wrote federal regulators, urging them to reject it.
