Bobby Charles blames Democrats for Maine’s rural healthcare crisis
Tue, July 28, 2026 at 6:34 AM
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Bobby Charles (WGME)
The possible closure of Lincoln Hospital’s birthing unit on the Midcoast is becoming an issue in Maine’s race for governor
Days after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree unveiled her plan to address the state’s maternity care crisis, Republican candidate Bobby Charles responded by arguing Democrats have made the challenges facing rural hospitals worse
- Also read: Protesters speak out against proposed closure of Lincoln Hospital maternity unit
Pingree visited Lincoln Hospital late last week and proposed a one-year moratorium on maternity unit closures if she is elected governor
Hannah Pingree (WGME)
Charles argues a governor does not have the authority to force hospitals to keep maternity units open. He also accused Democrats under Gov. Janet Mills of both overspending overall while failing to adequately fund Medicaid
In a statement, Charles said:
“Somewhere in the billions of dollars in increased spending over the last seven years, Pingree, Mills, and their colleagues should have adequately funded Medicaid. But they chose not to, and instead focused on other, wasteful priorities. Now we’re seeing the consequences play out all over Maine as a disaster in our healthcare system.”
CBS13 reached out to the Pingree campaign for a response but had not received one. Pingree has said healthcare and supporting rural hospitals would be a priority if elected
If MaineHealth decides to close the labor and delivery unit at Lincoln Hospital, it would become the 12th maternity unit to close in Maine in recent years
The MaineHealth board is expected to decide the unit’s future within the next two weeks
