We again profile the three major contenders to replace outgoing Senator Olympia Snowe.

TV 5 asked each one of them the same question, giving the candidates 90 seconds to reply.

We are airing those responses unedited.

Here is Monday's question.

Maine has the oldest population in the country and health care costs are spiraling out of control. Is the President's health care plan passed by Congress working? If so, what specifically is helping Mainers? If not, what would you do differently?

"Well, there are some things that are in the Affordable Care Act that are working. By the way, it doesn't really deal specifically with costs - that's a separate issue, I'll touch on that in a second. But there are things that are working: people being able to keep kids on their policies until they are twenty-six, that's a big deal; people not having children be excluded from coverage because of preexisting conditions - that may not be a big deal to you, it's the whole world to some people here in Maine; and finally, one of the things that's already in effect, is no co-pays, no extra charges for preventative care. That's a big deal, particularly to senior citizens. So I think there are three things specifically that are in place now that are making a difference for Maine people. The next step is cost, however, and that's really where we have to focus. Now, it's some, there are some pilot programs in the Affordable Care Act but, we have to take further steps, to change the way we pay for health care. Instead of paying for procedures, let's pay for health, and I think there are things going on here in Eastern Maine, with eastern Maine health care, to do just that. "

Cynthia Dill:
"Maine's seniors should be assured that I pledge not to do anything to weaken social security and Medicare, first and foremost. Those are programs, social insurance programs, people have paid into them and they need to be protected. As far as the Affordable Care Act, it's something that I support. I would take it a step further, I think that the United States needs to move to a single payer, universal health care system. But already, the Affordable Care Act has provided prescription drug coverage, preventative care, it allows people to stay on their parent's health care, as well as eliminating and prohibiting caps on coverage. So the Affordable Care Act is a step in the right direction. I would take it further, and I think we just really need to protect Social Security and Medicare for our seniors. "

Charlie Summers:
"Well, I think the President's health care plan, first of all, I give him credit for trying to tackle a very, very difficult issue, but I think the effects it could have on Maine, particularly those who use Medicare, you know, you're talking about cutting 700 billion dollars, out of Medicare, and I actually, recently met with health care professionals here in Bangor that suggested it'll actually end up costing the state of Maine more than it would save anything. So I think what we need to do is try to expand health insurance coverage by offering it across state lines, so that you can buy your health insurance like you buy your car insurance, with the lowest cost provider and also make the cost of that completely deductible from your federal income taxes. I think that would introduce an element of competition and affordability immediately without expanding the federal government.">

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