As a nurse practitioner, I hear the same stories every day. Whether retiree or full-time worker, insured or uninsured, patients all face the same problems: Drug prices are sky-high. Instead of taking what is best, they take what is affordable or nothing at all. Regular visits to their primary care providers are too expensive. They can’t afford the surgeries they need.

It’s time for Mainers to elect a leader who makes Mainers’ health a top priority; a leader who will obey the mandate of the voters, unlike Gov. Paul LePage.

That leader is Janet Mills. She has pledged to take $500 million in federal aid each year to expand Mainecare. That would improve the health of an estimated 70,000 Mainers, the strength of the state’s economy and the bottom line at the hospitals upon which people depend.

Janet Mills has my vote for governor on Nov. 6. I hope others will join me.

Jennifer Sullivan, Auburn