We were relieved to read last month that Sen. Susan Collins would not support repeal of the Affordable Care Act unless a suitable replacement plan were in place. How disappointing, then, that she joined her Republican Senate colleagues last week in adopting a budget resolution that would set in motion the end of the ACA. What will replace the ACA is still unclear.

According to a new Urban Institute study, an estimated 95,000 fewer Maine people would have health insurance in 2019 if the ACA were repealed.

Our particular concern about ACA repeal is the future of Medicaid, which provides health benefits to millions of children, seniors, working families and people with disabilities nationwide.

Among the proposals to replace the ACA is a restructuring of Medicaid into a block grant or per capita cap system. This would result in massive cuts to the current program and the reduction or elimination of coverage for millions of Americans who can least afford such cutbacks.

Among the recipients of Medicaid here in Maine are 6,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism who receive home- and community-based services through certain provisions of the program (called MaineCare here). Over 1,200 people are on the waitlist for these services.

We are the parents of a son with autism and intellectual disabilities who receives MaineCare benefits. Because of his behaviors and limitations, he is unable to work, live at home or engage in what most people would consider everyday activities. He needs one-on-one care. Without MaineCare, his future, and the future of many other disabled Mainers, is threatened.

Sen. Collins has been a tremendous supporter of people with disabilities over the years, and our family is very appreciative of that. We urge her to oppose any effort to convert Medicaid into a block grant program and to support ACA replacement programs that will harm the fewest Maine people.

Betsy Mahoney

Jeffrey Young

Cumberland Foreside