The Maine Senate dealt a mortal blow to a short-term spending plan that aimed to cover an immediate $118 million deficit in the state’s Medicaid program.On Thursday, lawmakers in the chamber came two votes shy of passing the supplemental budget with the two-thirds majority needed for it to take effect immediately.

The Maine Senate once again failed to pass emergency legislation with enough support to fund a $118 million shortfall in MaineCare spending.

Republicans are renewing calls for MaineCare reform while Democrats are urging their colleagues to support a proposal that collapsed late Tuesday so hospitals get paid on time.