AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A second attempt to override a veto of Medicaid expansion by Republican Gov. Paul LePage has failed in the Democratic-controlled Maine Legislature.
The 95-52 vote in the House Wednesday night falls just short of the two-thirds majority of present-and-voting lawmakers needed to override vetoes.
Lawmakers failed earlier Wednesday in their first attempt to override the veto. Democrats were able to table the bill and pursue another override attempt, but were again unable to garner enough votes to reach the two-thirds majority.
Under the bill, the state would expand Medicaid coverage but withdraw from the program after three years when the federal government begins to gradually lower its share of the cost for the expansion.