Maine Gov Candidate Calls for Health Care Reform

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler says Maine needs health care reform to grow its economy and provide care to all residents.

Cutler's office released the comments Thursday.

He called for preventative care to prevent chronic illnesses and efforts to improve physical and mental fitness to create a healthier community.

Cutler criticized Republican Gov. Paul LePage for not expanding Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul.

Cutler's opponents are LePage and Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud.

LePage Senior Political Adviser Brent Littlefield says Cutler is attempting to "buy votes with free health care" but "nothing is ever free." He says LePage knows the state cannot afford to pay for more "welfare" as it's already above the national average in "benefit handouts."