AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have sustained a veto by Republican Gov. Paul LePage of a bill designed to lower long-term care insurance costs.

The House voted 87-55 on Tuesday to uphold the veto. Democratic Rep. Sharon Treat of Hallowell is the sponsor.

The bill, L.D. 146, would have directed the state to study issues related to long-term care insurance, including ways to prevent unfair discrimination based on gender. The bill originally aimed to prohibit insurers from charging individuals different amounts for long-term insurance based on gender.

LePage said in his veto letter that he opposes “unfunded mandates” that “create a significant drain on valuable state resources.”

Tuesday’s vote comes on top of five vetoes lawmakers sustained Monday. Lawmakers are gearing up for a veto override vote on a bill to expand Medicaid coverage.