
By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“We have already trimmed our coverage down to the bare minimum we can manage and there’s not much room left to absorb another hike. If our premium climbs and our deductible climbs with it, something in our life has to give.” - Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons of Kennebunkport, of the proposed health insurance rate increase currently being considered by the Maine Bureau of Insurance.

Maine Rep. Laurel Libby submitted more than 3,000 signatures to prompt Maine’s health department to adopt tougher rules to address concerns of fraud. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star)
By Eesha Pendharkar
A Republican-led group is seeking to require the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to adopt new anti-fraud rules for the state’s Medicaid program, arguing the changes would strengthen oversight of MaineCare providers and taxpayer dollars.
By Emma Davis
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ challenger for her Senate seat, Graham Platner, and other Democrats are hoping to make her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh a sticking point during her first reelection campaign since the overturn of the constitutional right to abortion.
By Eesha Pendharkar
Kennebunkport resident Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons saw her family’s health insurance costs increase ten-fold after Congress last year failed to extend pandemic-era tax credits for plans purchased on the marketplace. Next year, she’s facing another potential 20% increase, this time due to a proposed hike by her insurance provider.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
With Collins’ support, US Senate joins House in rebuke of Trump over his war in Iran | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
States are changing fire codes to make housing cheaper. Some safety experts are worried. | Robbie Sequiera, Stateline
Bipartisan affordable housing bill heads to Trump’s desk | Jacob Fischler, States Newsroom
Miscarriage management remains muddled 4 years after Dobbs | Sofia Resnick, Stateline
Trump administration in court win allowed to conduct nationwide fast-track deportations | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Thanks for reading Top of the Morning. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.