Former Gov. Paul LePage’s congressional campaign fired back Thursday after Democratic candidate Matt Dunlap used a Bangor press conference to promote Medicare for All and attack LePage’s record on healthcare.
Dunlap held the event to mark the 61st anniversary of the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, arguing that the federal government should expand Medicare into a universal healthcare system. He also accused LePage of supporting federal policies that would reduce Medicaid funding and threaten healthcare access in Maine.
Brent Littlefield, a senior advisor to LePage’s campaign for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, dismissed the event as an attempt by Dunlap to revive a struggling campaign.
“Math is not Matt Dunlap’s strong suit, having failed the auditor’s exam twice, and with massive welfare fraud alleged in Maine, he has failed to show he understands healthcare or government funding,” Littlefield said.
Dunlap narrowly failed the Certified Public Accountant examination twice while serving as Maine’s state auditor. Maine law required the auditor to become certified within nine months of taking office, prompting Dunlap to leave the position in 2021. He later returned to the office after lawmakers changed the qualifications for the job.
Littlefield contrasted Dunlap’s record with LePage’s efforts as governor to repay approximately $750 million in outstanding Medicaid reimbursement debt owed to Maine hospitals.
“Mainers all know Paul LePage paid off a massive hospital debt as governor which was threatening healthcare in Maine,” Littlefield said. “Paul LePage literally saved hospital services, and healthcare, for Mainers. Matt Dunlap has done nothing.”
The hospital debt had accumulated over several administrations as Maine failed to provide its required share of Medicaid reimbursements, preventing hospitals from collecting matching federal funds. LePage made paying the debt a central priority of his administration and used proceeds from restructuring the state’s liquor contract to complete the payments.
Littlefield said LePage has repeatedly warned that government-run healthcare programs often fail to reimburse hospitals and other providers for the full cost of treating patients.
“Paul LePage will prioritize ensuring our hospitals can stay open and we keep doctors and nurses in Maine for Maine patients,” Littlefield said.
Dunlap said Thursday that Medicare for All would protect Mainers from crushing medical bills and argued that the federal government could pay for the program if Congress made it a priority.
“If we make this a priority, we can get it done, 100 percent,” Dunlap said.
The candidates also clashed over what Dunlap’s proposal would mean for private insurance.
“Matt Dunlap wants to eliminate private health insurance, including union and work health plans, taking away health choices to turn it all over to the government,” Littlefield said.
Dunlap disputed that characterization, saying Americans could still purchase supplemental private coverage under the system he supports.
“We’re not banning private insurance by any stretch of the imagination,” Dunlap said.
The precise effect would depend on the language of any legislation passed by Congress. Previous Medicare for All proposals have generally sought to replace most employer-sponsored and individual insurance covering benefits included under the federal plan, while allowing private companies to sell supplemental policies.
Dunlap also attacked the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, claiming it is already producing Medicaid cuts and healthcare coverage losses.
A July 29 analysis from FactCheck.org found that Democratic claims blaming the law for millions of coverage losses to date were premature. Experts said recent enrollment declines were largely connected to other policy changes because many of the law’s major Medicaid provisions have not yet taken effect.
The same analysis noted, however, that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects the law will reduce future federal Medicaid spending by more than $900 billion over ten years.
Littlefield accused Dunlap of relying on liberal advocacy organizations and press conferences rather than offering a realistic plan to protect Maine’s hospitals.
“Matt Dunlap’s campaign is failing, so he is resorting to quoting liberal special-interest groups and holding attack press conferences to try and stay relevant,” Littlefield said.
The LePage campaign also accused Dunlap of supporting taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants and argued that expanding government coverage would place additional pressure on an already strained healthcare workforce.
“If you think it is hard to find a doctor, nurse or healthcare now, just let Matt Dunlap be in charge of your doctor,” Littlefield said.
Dunlap and LePage are competing for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Littlefield said the contrast is ultimately between Dunlap’s proposed expansion of government-controlled healthcare and LePage’s emphasis on paying providers, preserving private coverage and protecting Maine hospitals.
“Matt Dunlap does not even come close to understanding poverty like Paul LePage, who was homeless starting at age 11,” Littlefield said. “Paul LePage always puts Maine people first, including their healthcare.”
