As the years pass by, I’ve seen the average age of our residents increase to a point where I now believe we are No. 1 as the oldest state per capita in the union.

Our young people, the same young people we have relied on to carry on the great state of Maine tradition, are leaving the state because they simply can’t afford to live here.

These young people are working two or three part-time jobs, mainly so their employers don’t have to provide benefits like health insurance. And these same young people are barely making ends meet, gambling that they will stay healthy and not buying expensive health insurance.

Passing the Medicaid expansion seems to me to be the most intelligent move our Legislature and governor could make. The young, the elderly and our veterans would all benefit from this. They could, and should, be encouraged to find a primary care provider and have regular visits, catching potential health problems before they become expensive emergency room visits.

This would be a plus for all the citizens of our state, whether they are well-to-do or struggling to make ends meet. It would make a healthier, happier and undoubtedly more productive population, and one not gambling with their health.

At the same time, the expansion would provide many needed jobs that would boost the capabilities of our citizens who are living on the edge now.

We as voters have that option. Please don’t let this program be turned down again. You all know where your current state representatives and senators have stood on this subject in the past two years. Please think of the 60,000 to 70,000 Mainers who really need this program to stay healthy.

Dale E. Whitmore

Freeport

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