Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Bobby Charles admitted to receiving MaineCare benefits in a Facebook post on Thursday and reaffirmed that statement in the comments before correcting it and saying that he is actually on Medicare.
Charles’s rapid-fire style on social media has successfully drawn attention from voters and has likely contributed to his consistent place at the top of polls. However, it also carries risks, such as an apparent typo suggesting that Charles was enrolled in a program whose failings he has consistently criticized.
He spoke to The Maine Wire over the phone to explain the situation while taking responsibility for the mistake himself.
“The buck stops with me; I’m the candidate; it’s my fault,” he said on a phone call with The Maine Wire.
He explained that he spoke to his staff and told them to put up the original post, then learned that they had made an error and told them to fix it, and also issued a correction himself.
“I grew up in Wayne. My mother was a public school teacher earning $12,000 a year. I am on Mainecare right now. I am not a career politician. I am not an Augusta insider,” said Charles in his post.
The post quickly raised questions about why the veteran naval intelligence officer and leading gubernatorial candidate would be receiving taxpayer funded MaineCare benefits intended primarily for low-income Mainers and families.
One Facebook commenter asked for clarification on whether Charles actually meant that he was taking MaineCare benefits or had made a mistake and was actually on the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system.
“You’re on MaineCare right now? Not the VA health system,” asked the Facebook user.
“Yes,” replied Charles.
Following backlash, Charles issued a new post hours later clarifying his statement and edited his response to the commentator.
“A quick clarification: I am on Medicare. As a 65-year-old veteran, I transitioned to Medicare this year, like millions of Americans do when they reach that age. Health care costs are out of control, and that is exactly why this issue matters to me personally,” said Charles.
His updated comment provided additional clarification. Charles explained that he just transitioned from his previous insurance to Medicare at the start of this year after turning 65 and becoming eligible for the program.
“I am on … Medicare, which is what you get on after age 65! Moved from my prior insurance to Medicare – as most Mainers do – early this year! Just part of the process! Totally committed to returning affordability, access and quality to Maine’s healthcare system,” said Charles.
MaineCare and Medicare are two distinct taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.
MaineCare is Maine’s Medicaid program, which uses a combination of both state and federal funds and is primarily intended for low-income Mainers who cannot afford health insurance.
Medicare, however, is a federal healthcare program generally available to every American over the age of 65.
Gubernatorial candidate David Jones issued a statement criticizing Charles for the error.
“Bobby Charles and his team are clearly not ready for primetime. If you don’t know the difference between Medicare and MaineCare, this job is not for you,” said Jones.
“Either Bobby doesn’t know the difference between Medicare and MaineCare, or he’s actually collecting welfare,” he added.
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