On Monday, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joined with her colleague U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana to introduce The Patient Freedom Act as an alternative to the federal Affordable Care Act.
While the full details have yet to be published, it appears that this initiative is a sincere attempt to do more than simply deride the ACA for its shortcomings and call for its repeal. Collins and Cassidy have proposed a model that aims to grant states flexibility while creating a means for providing affordable coverage to the people of Maine and the country as a whole.
While this proposal may not be a perfect or a full and final compromise in the ongoing health care debate, it nonetheless makes clear that Sen. Collins understands that simply repealing the ACA without a plan for what comes next is not in the interest of her constituents.
MaineHealth, the state’s largest health care organization, applauds Sen. Collins for stepping out in front on this important debate, striking a pragmatic and constructive tone. We look forward to continuing to work with her and our other representatives in Washington, D.C., to protect access to affordable health insurance for Maine people.
Katie Fullam Harris
Senior vice president for government relations, MaineHealth
Portland
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