Everyone’s talking about it. Even experts don’t understand it. But it’s going to affect us all. If you wonder what the Affordable Care Act will mean to you and your family, we’d like to hear from you. And maybe help! Reporter Lindsay Tice is working on a story about the ACA and how it will […]
health care
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine’s congressional delegation to shop same health care options as us
While the federal Affordable Care Act generally will let people stick with the health insurance they already have, that principle doesn’t extend to members of the U.S. Senate and House and the staffers who run their offices. A provision in the controversial law subjects Congress to one of Obamacare’s major initiatives. Senators, representatives and their […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine to hold info sessions on health care law
PORTLAND (AP) — State of Maine officials will be on hand this month to offer information and guidance about changes occurring under the new federal health care law. Maine Bureau of Insurance will hold public information sessions on the Affordable Health Care Act beginning Thursday at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Another session […]
Posted inLetters
R. Reed: Personal responsibility a factor
Much has been written recently about the direction of health care in this country. We are subjected to numerous opinions on single payer versus current commercial insurance choices, the support or rejection of Obamacare, the profits of pharmaceutical companies and the salaries of hospital administrators among them. Lost in the conversation is personal responsibility. There […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine Medical Center announces 50 layoffs, 175 position cuts, other reductions
PORTLAND — Maine Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon announced a slate of personnel and payroll cuts, including the elimination of 175 positions, layoffs of 50 employees and 12.5 percent reductions in compensation for top hospital administrators. “This is a difficult day that is unfortunate, but necessary for creating the future that our patients and employees […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Mark Eves: Fight for affordable health care is not over
It is difficult to imagine being a veteran in this country and not being able to afford health care. For Tom Ptacek, a U.S. Navy veteran who now works and lives in Portland, it will become a reality this winter. Unfortunately, 2,700 veterans like Tom, and tens of thousands of other Mainers, will have to […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
CMMC joins lawsuit against federal government over Medicare payments
Eight Maine hospitals have sued U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius over the government’s handling of millions of dollars in payments for some low-income and elderly patients. In the suit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Portland, the hospitals argue that Sebelius arbitrarily and improperly ruled against them in a […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Oxford Hills, River Valley
State compares health insurance for small groups
Small businesses can now see how much health insurance might cost them through the upcoming Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange. The Maine Bureau of Insurance on Friday released its comparison of small group rates proposed for the exchange, or marketplace. “Small group” is defined as 50 or fewer people. For smokers, Maine Community Health […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine hospitals face Medicare penalties for readmissions
List of penalties imposed on Maine hospitals A dozen Maine hospitals face Medicare penalties in round two of the federal government’s push to lower the number of patients who wind up back in the hospital within a month of being discharged. Compared to other states, Maine’s hospitals ranked near the top, at seventh nationally by […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston Mayor Macdonald opposes Anthem plan
LEWISTON— Mayor Robert Macdonald on Monday came out against a plan by Anthem insurance that could take Central Maine Medical Center and more than 300 affiliated physicians off of Anthem’s approved provider list for most individuals. In a news release issued through City Hall, Macdonald urged residents to attend public hearings on the change and […]