AUGUSTA — The Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs has been notified its contract with the state, which has stood for more than 13 years, will be canceled Dec. 31. Ruth Blauer, the association’s executive director, said cancellation of the $573,000 contract will essentially eliminate the services provided by her program and two others it […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Feds say Maine missed chance to appeal Riverview decision
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s administration missed its chance to challenge the federal government’s decision to strip the Riverview Psychiatric Recovery Center of its federal certification, a judge ruled Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Jon Levy ruled that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services waived its right to challenge the June 2013 […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Advocates, others tell Maine to do better with disabilities
LEWISTON — Some people wanted more and better transportation for Mainers with disabilities. Some people said the state should work harder to keep its elderly residents living independently. Others said the Maine Department of Health and Human Services needs a computer system that will allow all departments and agencies access to the same client information. […]
Posted inLetters
M. Proctor: Investigate the DHHS
The Sun Journal headline “DHHS under review” (May 9) appeared when I was perturbed because the DHHS had mishandled my situation. Recently, I received two letters that my Drug Assistance For The Elderly and Medicare Buy-In benefits would cease because they claimed that I had not completed a review. However, DHHS received my review on […]
Posted inMaine
Oversight committee reviews report on workplace culture at Maine DHHS
AUGUSTA — The state’s largest agency may include “unfit” supervisors and the occasional “despicable” boss, but most employees of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services are satisfied with the workplace culture. A recent report issued by the nonpartisan Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability received close scrutiny from the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
DHHS head Mayhew ordered to appear in contempt hearing
AUGUSTA — The head of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services has been ordered to appear in court next month to answer questions about the department’s refusal to accept a patient in the state’s psychiatric hospital. The Portland Press Herald reports that Commissioner Mary Mayhew has been subpoenaed to appear for a contempt hearing […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
People with intellectual disabilities oppose LePage-supported bill
People with intellectual disabilities and their families told lawmakers Wednesday that a measure backed by Gov. Paul LePage would hamper their ability to weigh in on significant funding changes to state services. Under the bill, the Department of Health and Human Services would no longer be required to hold a public hearing in the Legislature […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine needle exchange program reaching more people
PORTLAND — The number of people using Maine’s needle exchange programs has jumped dramatically in recent years, something public health officials call a mixed blessing. The Portland Press Herald reports that according to a report the Department of Health and Human Services, the number of enrollees in Maine’s needle exchange programs has more than tripled […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn leans on financial trust for asylum-seeking families in need of General Assistance
AUBURN — The city will continue paying General Assistance benefits to a small group of asylum-seeking immigrant families, even though there are questions about whether or not that money will be repaid by the state. “We have a moral obligation, and then we have a financial obligation, and sometimes those don’t match,” Councilor Tizz Crowley […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sheila Pinette resigns from Maine CDC
AUGUSTA — Dr. Sheila Pinette has resigned as the state’s chief health officer a month after taking the job, hastening an organizational shakeup at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Pinette has served as the state’s top public health official since 2011. She oversaw the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention during […]