CONTACT: Julia Endicott
978-877-3871
jendicott@drme.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/8/2025
Disability Rights Maine Condemns Passage of Reconciliation Bill
Augusta – Last week, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R.1 by a vote of 218-214. This follows the bill’s passage by the United States Senate by a vote of 51-50. On July 4th, 2025, the President signed the bill into law. This bill includes devastating cuts to essential federal programs, including Medicaid and SNAP, which will have a significant impact on Mainers with disabilities, children, and older adults. More than 31,000 people are expected to lose their MaineCare in the first year alone. Disability Rights Maine (DRM) strongly condemns this legislation.
“Mainers with disabilities already struggle to get the care they need to survive, let alone thrive, in their communities. The horrific reality of this legislation is that the poorest and most disadvantaged in our state will suffer devastating cuts to benefit the wealthiest taxpayers who need the least help,” stated Executive Director Kim Moody.
The final bill cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, slashes funding for home-and-community-based services for people with disabilities, and weakens protections for people with disabilities. It is projected that between two and five rural hospitals in Maine will close, and more are threatened. The impact, while not immediate, will be profound.
DRM remains committed to advocating for the rights of disabled Mainers and ensuring that all Mainers are able to remain in their communities with access to the care and critical services they need.
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Disability Rights Maine is Maine’s Protection & Advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance justice and equality by enforcing rights and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities in Maine.