SAN FRANCISCO — When Liz DeRouen needs any kind of health care services, from diabetes counseling to a dental cleaning, she checks into a government-funded clinic in Northern California’s wine country that covers all her medical needs. Her care and the medical services for her children and grandchildren are paid for as part of the […]
health care
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
CMMC excluded from proposed Anthem health plan
Patients in western and southern Maine will lose access to local doctors and hospitals under a “backroom deal” between MaineHealth and the state’s largest health insurer, according to an executive at another health system excluded from the arrangement. The deal could affect thousands of Maine residents, one consumer advocate said. MaineHealth, the parent organization of […]
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Posted inMaine
Bill seeks to make hospital costs and finances more transparent in Maine
AUGUSTA — A bill that creates a special commission and an annual study of financial data for tax-subsidized hospitals in Maine could be the first step toward a more transparent health care system, according to proponents of the measure. Simply finding out how much any given medical procedure costs is nearly impossible, said the bill’s […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Federal data raises questions about how hospitals set fees
For the first time, the federal government will release the prices that hospitals charge for the 100 most common inpatient procedures. Until now, these charges have been closely held by facilities that see a competitive advantage in shielding their fees from competitors. What the numbers reveal is a health-care system with tremendous, seemingly random variation […]
Posted inMaine
Sides diverge on plan to pay Maine’s hospital debt
AUGUSTA — Legislative party leaders exchanged partisan jabs again Tuesday, extending the debate over how and when the state should pay off its more than $480 million debt owed to 39 hospitals across Maine. Adding a new wrinkle in the debate was new information from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that suggests […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Central Maine Orthopaedics to merge with two other practices
A proposed merger among three medical practices in Auburn and Greater Portland would mark the largest consolidation of independent physician practices in recent Maine history, according to those involved. Central Maine Orthopaedics, a 12-physician practice in Auburn, and OA Centers for Orthopaedics, a 16-physician practice in Portland, announced plans late Thursday to explore a merger […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Experts point to health care options for Mainers
AUGUSTA (AP) — About 127,000 uninsured Mainers will be required to get health insurance or face penalties starting next year under the federal health care overhaul, but experts say they shouldn’t panic because there will be options for coverage, and help getting it. The requirement, known as the individual mandate, has been one of the […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Health premiums increase for 7,000 Maine residents
About 7,000 Maine customers of Mega Life and Health Insurance Co. will be affected by a rate change set to take effect Friday. While some policyholders will see their health premium costs drop by nearly 33 percent, others will be hit with rate hikes of up to 47 percent, according to Mega’s filing with the […]
Posted inNew England, sj-web
Bill would lift gag on discussing N.H. health care
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire’s new Democratic House majority is considering reversing a law banning the state from operating its own health care exchange under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law. The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee held a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would reverse a Republican-passed law that prohibits the […]
Posted inLetters
L. Carrier: Hyde Amendment unfair to women
With the recent 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, let’s look at what that court ruling offers or does not offer women today. Women now have the right to receive an abortion legally and in a safe environment. Those in society who think women have easy access to clinics that offer family planning services are […]