Senator Susan Collins of Maine finds herself at the center of controversy after comments on a radio show appeared to contradict her publicly stated stance on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). This legislation is set to remove 40,000 Maine residents from Medicaid.
Despite being one of only three Republican senators to formally oppose the bill, Collins played a significant role in its legislative journey. During a radio interview on October 6, she inadvertently grouped herself with Republican supporters of OBBB while discussing a specific provision she crafted.
Collins stated, “I do want to bring up one other irony, and that is that the Democrats are proposing in their version of the continuing resolution to repeal a $50 billion fund to help rural hospitals. And this was something that is near and dear to my heart, because I came up with the concept and authored this fund, which was included in the bill that we passed earlier this year.”
While Collins emphasizes the importance of the rural hospital fund, the Democrats’ continuing resolution aims to reverse Medicaid cuts and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, which could negate the need for such a fund. The resolution also seeks to end the government shutdown, aligning with Collins’ expressed support for these measures.
Collins’ involvement with OBBB extends beyond her Senate floor vote against it. She previously facilitated its progress by voting to move the bill out of the Appropriations Committee. According to Rolling Stone, this vote came shortly after her Political Action Committee received a $2 million donation from Stephen A. Schwarzman, a billionaire from New York.
Public opinion on OBBB is largely negative, with a KFF tracking poll revealing that 64% of adults disapprove of the bill. Additionally, 85% of Mainers enrolled in Obamacare could see increased health premiums if subsidies are not extended.
As Collins prepares for a potential re-election campaign for a sixth term, she faces competition from Democrats such as Governor Janet Mills, oysterman Graham Platner, and activist Jordan Wood.
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