Maine Dental Care Bonds Issue, Question 2 (2010)

The Maine Dental Care Bonds Issue, Question 2 appeared on the November 2, 2010 ballot in Maine as an legislatively-referred state statute where it was approved.

The proposed measure increased access to dental care and education in Maine.

Election results

See also: 2010 ballot measure election results

Question 2 (Dental Care Bonds)
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		286,645	51.4%
No		270,705	48.6%
Total votes		557,350	100.00%
Voter turnout		%

Official election results via the Maine Secretary of State.

Text of measure

The ballot language read as follows:

Do you favor a $5,000,000 bond issue to be awarded on a competitive basis to increase access to dental care in Maine, $3,500,000 to be used for a community-based teaching dental clinic affiliated with or operated by a college of dental medicine to be matched by $3,500,000 in other funds, and $1,500,000 to be used to create or upgrade community-based health and dental care clinics across the State to increase their capacity as teaching and dental clinics?

Support

Supporters argued that it was imperative voters approve Question 2. According to supporters, 41% of Maine dentists were estimated to be at retirement age in the next decade and there weren't enough current dental students to fill the void.

The official campaign group was Dental Care for ME - Yes on 2!. The group launched their efforts on October 6, 2010.

Dr. David Drohan, the Chief Dental Officer at Penobscot Community Dental Clinic, said, "Maine itself as a state is an underserved area. The access to dental care is much worse than it is, say for example, for medical care. Probably nearly a quarter of a million people in this state are in underserved areas. What to do about that is something of a debate. But where we are now, is if we can provide that access to care, I think it will do a great deal to solve a lot of health problems here in the state."

Opposition

No known opponents.

Media editorial positions

See also: Endorsements of Maine ballot measures, 2010

Support

• Brunswick's The Time Record supported Question 2. The editorial board said, "A “yes” vote on Question 2 offers a long-term solution to that problem. It will train more dentists for our state and improve opportunities for dental care for thousands of Mainers. It’s a worthwhile and necessary investment."

Opposition

• The Maine Campus was opposed to Question 2. In an editorial, the board said, "Clearly, the problem here is hardly the borrowing of the expenses, but rather what it is you are borrowing for. So when faced with the ballot and two smooth-talking, pricey bonds on election day, go for the favorite for all of Maine and leave the other out of the franchise. Vote no on Question 2 and yes on Question 3 and enjoy the natural Maine you’ve grown to love."

Path to the ballot

See also: Maine legislatively-referred state statutes

Health care on the ballot in 2010

To place the proposal on the ballot, the measure was required to receive at least a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. The measure was approved by the Maine Legislature and signed by the Governor on April 12, 2010, thus certifying it for the 2010 ballot.

See also

Suggest a link

• 2010 ballot measures
• Maine 2010 ballot measures

Articles

• Maine ballot measure order set for November 2 ballot

External links

• LD 1826

Additional reading

• Kennebec Journal,"Land, dental bonds on state ballot," October 27, 2010