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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Latest on Maine Gov. Paul LePage's attack on Sens. King and Collins over their votes on the GOP health care proposals (all times local):
4:30 p.m.
Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine are defending themselves after being declared "dangerous" by Republican Gov. Paul LePage because they helped sink a GOP proposal to repeal former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.
Collins, a Republican, and King, an independent, said Wednesday they met with thousands of people to discuss improving the health care system and they both reached the "inescapable conclusion" that GOP repeal proposals would've harmed Maine.
They say the proposals would have eliminated insurance for millions, raised premiums, hurt rural hospitals and shifted costs to states.
Their joint statement never mentioned LePage by name. LePage wrote in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday saying the two "are worse than out of touch — they are downright dangerous."
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11:03 a.m.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage has some choice words for the state's U.S. senators, calling fellow Republican Susan Collins and independent Angus King "dangerous."
LePage targeted them in an op-ed published Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal after they voted against a GOP proposal to repeal parts of "Obamacare."
LePage wrote that the two "are worse than out of touch — they are downright dangerous."
He chided King for expanding Medicaid coverage while governor, saying it nearly bankrupted the state. He said providing health care coverage to able-bodied adults through Medicaid is "tantamount to giving them another welfare entitlement."
Collins returned home to applause at the Bangor International Airport after the health care vote. King praised her for putting Mainers ahead of party politics.
Neither immediately responded to requests seeking comment.
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