Collins can’t have it both ways
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins can’t have it both ways. She voted in January to adopt a budget plan that set the stage for repealing the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, then voted no on the repeal last week. The insurance companies should make it on their own or get out of Obamacare
Beverly Nichols
Jonesport
Boat building memories
Ramona du Houx reviewed “A Winter’s Apprentice” by John Willey in early June. I finally read this remarkable book about carpentry on yachts built near Boothbay Harbor at Ocean Point. The boatyard experience is carefully crafted in words, and I wholeheartedly agree with this review.
Poetry in words does not happen often in nonfiction, just as carefully fitted yachts with all the skills required rarely appear as floating visions. Read this personal experience by Willey and enjoy the joy of creativity and the daily grind of perseverance.
Martha Barkley
Belgrade Lakes
Staying safe in Maine wilderness
Regarding the two recent articles on staying safe while hiking in Maine and 911 assistance within the national monument, I find it very useful and reassuring to use the SPOT system. SPOT is a global emergency system that relies on satellites.
It can send GPS locations as needed or every 10 minutes, send messages, and request emergency assistance including insurance for helicopter rescues. I carry SPOT in my personal as well as professional travels.
The Maine wilderness is not to be taken lightly. Unanticipated weather or health conditions occur. As a Maine Guide, I highly recommend investing in some type of satellite system for communication purposes when traveling within the Maine wilderness.
The nominal annual fees are worth the peace of mind.
Rae Fournier-Wren
Old Town
Maine senators take health care stand
What a proud day for Maine. On behalf of AARP’s nearly 230,000 Maine members, all Mainers over 50 and their families, I want to express sincere gratitude to our two senators for their steadfast opposition to the poorly conceived attempts to increase costs and scale back health care coverage for millions of us.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was subjected to relentless pressure, but resolutely reaffirmed her support for her constituents’ best interests: To oppose the proposed “age tax,” rollbacks of essential Medicaid coverage, reduced insurance coverage for millions of Americans, and the process by which the Senate repeal-and-replace bills were cobbled together. Throughout the grueling months, Collins engaged directly with constituents, listening carefully to their concerns. She voted in exactly the way she was asked to vote.
U.S. Sen. Angus King consistently opposed all the iterations of the now-failed legislation. He, too, engaged with thousands of Mainers on this subject. In addition to recognizing the onerous impact on the health security of the people of Maine, including hidden impacts on both Medicare and private insurance beneficiaries, King recognized the potential economic impact on Maine’s rural health care system. Both senators understood that rural hospitals and nursing homes could have been forced to close, further restricting access to health care.
With enormous pride and gratitude, we extend our thanks to two of the most stalwart members of the Senate. Now, we must work together in an open, bipartisan process to address ongoing health care access and cost issues that impact Mainers of all ages.
Rich Livingston
Volunteer state president
AARP Maine
Biddeford