Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
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PublishedApril 26, 2023
MaineHealth drops COVID-19 masking requirement
Masks are no longer required at MaineHealth or Northern Light Health medical facilities statewide, effectively putting an end to the emergency measure in most situations 3 years after the pandemic began.
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PublishedApril 25, 2023
Debate heats up on Maine’s proposed flavored tobacco ban
Lawmakers listened to testimony during a public hearing on Thursday.
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PublishedApril 24, 2023
Legislature considers stronger penalties for assaulting medical providers
Lawmakers heard testimony on a bill to make it easier to file felony-level charges for assaults against emergency health care workers, something proponents say is becoming more common. The state hospital and police chiefs association support the legislation, while defense lawyers oppose it.
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PublishedApril 23, 2023
Housing-first strategy ties stable residences with social services
The legislation could be transformative, supporters say, sharply reducing Maine’s chronic homelessness.
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PublishedApril 19, 2023
Portland region’s air quality gets mixed reviews, while Bangor’s is pristine, report says
American Lung Association’s report shows that ozone pollution is declining in much of the United States, but increased slightly in southern and coastal Maine.
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PublishedApril 17, 2023
South Portland woman helps family members devastated by Mississippi tornado
The EF-4 tornado destroyed Jessie Cash’s family homestead in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, on March 24.
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PublishedApril 17, 2023
Hospitals face new wave of competition from infusion centers
It’s the latest example of insurance companies partnering with independent centers to offer lower-cost outpatient services.
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PublishedApril 12, 2023
Bill would mandate nurse-to-patient ratios in Maine hospitals
Supporters say nurses are spread thin and overworked, but the Maine Hospital Association says the mandate would restrict patient care.
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PublishedApril 6, 2023
Clash over parents’ and students’ rights at hearing about school counselor rules
Parental rights advocates want the Legislature to block a proposed Department of Education rule that would direct school counselors to respect student confidentiality.
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PublishedApril 3, 2023
Proposals to roll back school vaccine requirements draw crowd to State House
While the bills to reintroduce religious and philosophic exemptions for school vaccines have little chance of passing, advocates on both sides packed a daylong hearing before the Legislature’s Education Committee.
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