COLLINS TO OFFER AMENDMENT TO GROWTH PACKAGE PROVIDING $20 BILLION STATE FISCAL RELIEF; BILL MEANS $116 FOR MAINE

WASHINGTON, D.C. ---- After working for more than a year to provide fiscal relief to cash-strapped states, Senator Susan Collins will offer an amendment to the Jobs and Economic Growth Reconciliation Bill Wednesday evening to provide $20 billion in state aid, half of which will be directed to the Medicaid program. The Medicaid assistance will avert cuts to the program that could leave more than 1.7 million Americans without health insurance coverage.

"Fiscal aid to the states is an essential part of an economic growth package,"said Senator Collins. "I feel strongly that the growth package include this critical assistance and I expect that I will have strong support from my colleagues when the Senate votes on my amendment tomorrow."

Under Collins's proposal, Maine will receive $65.6 million in Medicaid funding and $50 million in grants that can be used for services including education and job training, health care services, and homeland security.