The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
Dan Lynch, a resident of Freeport, is a retired Navy captain who served 35 years in the Marine Corps and Navy. He had multiple tours flying P-3s from Brunswick Naval Air Station, including command of a squadron and the wing. John Coray, a resident of Brunswick, is a retired Navy commander who served 28 years as a surface warfare officer and P-3 naval aviator. He had command of a Navy recruiting district and completed his career as chief staff officer of the P-3 Airwing at Brunswick Naval Air Station.
As members of the United States military, we experienced a healthcare system that many Americans still struggle to imagine: dependable and accessible care.
Military healthcare, while not without its imperfections, is founded on three principles: affordability, access, and coordination of care. We were not burdened by medical bills, and we never hesitated to seek necessary care for ourselves or our families. We recognized that the well-being of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and their families was the cornerstone of a strong and productive military.
Why can’t we apply this principle to our society and the people of Maine? The military healthcare system exemplifies how affordability and patient-centered care can be achieved.
Our experience in the military has shaped our contemporary understanding of healthcare, and as Maine veterans, we support Nirav Shah because his vision for healthcare reflects what we know is possible. He brings proven leadership at both the state and federal level, along with a clear, pragmatic plan to move Maine toward a more affordable and effective system.
That plan starts with practical steps such as capping copays and deductibles, particularly for certain generic drugs, and is a necessary first step. As Shah has said, universal healthcare is a “North Star.” It’s not about flipping a switch overnight; it’s about steady, meaningful progress that expands access and lowers costs for Maine families.
Too often, people delay treatment because they fear the bill more than they fear the illness itself. Preventive care gets postponed, prescriptions go unfilled, and manageable conditions become emergencies. We have seen firsthand that when care is both affordable and easy to access, people seek help sooner, outcomes improve, and long-term costs decrease for everyone. That is not theory; it is lived experience.
For our fellow veterans, this approach makes sense. We understand that lasting change begins with a clear objective and is achieved through disciplined, incremental action. We believe healthcare reform should be approached in the same way: with seriousness, accountability, and a commitment to serving people rather than systems. Maine families deserve a system that responds to their needs, not one that leaves them navigating endless paperwork and financial uncertainty alone.
Shah’s unwavering focus on affordability, accessibility, and coordinated care resonates deeply with us and aligns with Maine’s values. In a state defined by community, independence, and mutual support, our healthcare system should embody these same principles. It should ensure that a family residing in Aroostook County enjoys the same level of peace of mind as an individual in the Portland area. It should signify that illness should not entail financial hardship. It should facilitate the navigation of healthcare services, rather than complicating the process.
We have lived within a system where these objectives were attainable. Maine does not require a complete overhaul of the existing framework; rather, we believe it needs leadership that understands what works and how to adapt it thoughtfully. Rural communities, seniors on fixed incomes, working families, and small business owners all feel the strain of rising healthcare costs. They deserve solutions grounded in experience, not in empty promises.
We believe Nirav Shah offers that leadership. The future of healthcare in Maine, as well as the responsibility to shape it, belongs to all of us.