PORTLAND – A new coalition has been formed to take on opponents of newly enacted taxes to bolster Maine’s Dirigo health insurance program.

The coalition, which held a news conference near Maine Medical Center in Portland on Thursday, includes doctors, seniors and others who say repealing the taxes on beer, wine, soda and other drinks would deprive thousands of Mainers of health coverage.

The coalition is urging Maine voters to say no if asked to sign petitions to get the people’s veto question on the November ballot.

A coalition called Fed Up With Taxes has to collect more than 55,000 signatures by July 17 to froce a statewide vote on whether to repeal the taxes. The opponents say the Legislature raised the taxes without any public hearing.