PORTLAND, Maine - Gov. Paul LePage and a Democratic lawmaker engaged in a verbal scuffle during the governor's town hall meeting in Sanford Wednesday.
LePage and state Rep. Patricia Hymanson argued about the number of people currently awaiting services through the state's Medicaid program.
At one point, Hymanson shouted from the audience to question one of the governor's assertions about waiting lists. She first identified herself as a member of the Legislature. LePage said she was part of the problem. Hymanson then said she was a physician.
"I know, that's even worse because you're emotional about it and not taking in the facts," LePage said. "You do not take the information that's given to you. Thank you."
"I resent that. I resent that tremendously," Hymanson responded.
"OK. Please, remove her please," the governor said.
Hymanson was allowed to stay despite the governor's request to have her removed. She later said that she resented how he treated her and how he blamed the Legislature for a complex problem.
