October 25, 2025
The Maine Morning Star is reporting a new effort to establish publicly funded health care coverage for all Maine residents.
State Rep. Grayson Lookner (D-Portland) is listed as the lead petitioner for a citizen’s initiative. The petition seeks to create legislation to establish universal health care coverage in the state. It specifically asks for the legislative committee in charge of health care and insurance matters to come up with a bill by 2028.
The Secretary of State’s office confirmed Wednesday that the initiative has been approved for circulation. This means that those behind the effort can begin collecting signatures.
The petition will need about 68,000 signatures by early February to make it onto the 2026 ballot. The number of signatures required represents 10% of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in 2022.
Lookner said the time is right for this effort, given the federal shutdown. He argueds that the state needs to step up and make sure residents have access to medical care.
Read the full article HERE.