AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Republican-backed health care overhaul bill aimed at encouraging competition and driving down insurance premiums in Maine has been put on hold until Monday. Republicans and Democrats debated through the night before the Senate decided shortly before 1 a.m. Friday to adjourn without a final vote. The House on Thursday approved […]
health care
Posted inMaine
State Senate moves health insurance reform forward
AUGUSTA — On a 21-13, party-line vote, the Maine Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that aims to reform the way Mainers buy health insurance, sending the legislation back to the House of Representatives for final approval. The controversial Republican measure was assailed by Democrats who said it would force the price of health insurance […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
House to take up Maine health care overhaul
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The health care overhaul bill is up for another vote, days after the House approved the measure in a party-line vote. The measure comes up Tuesday for another go-around in the House as minority Democrats continue to plead for more time to consider the legislation. It would allow individuals to purchase […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage defends health care proposal
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage says the House did the right thing when it passed a health care overhaul bill. In his weekend radio address, LePage says the bill the House approved Thursday will increase competition in Maine’s health insurance market by allowing individuals and businesses to buy insurance from other New England […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Abortion, reproductive rights debate slated for this afternoon
AUGUSTA, Maine — A group of doctors, health care professionals and lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle on Tuesday urged a legislative committee to reject several bills that they claim will limit women’s access to abortions. The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee will consider three abortion-related bills on Tuesday afternoon. One measure, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine woman guilty of health care fraud
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — An Orrington woman is facing up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to health care fraud. U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty II said Monday that Dawn Zehrung, also known as Dawn Grover, pleaded guilty to health care fraud. District Judge John Woodcock Jr. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston man plans walk to Florida in memory of the illnesses that took away the women in his life
LEWISTON — Paul Lauzier plans to take the walk of his life. On March 6, when his oldest daughter would have been 44 years old, the retired shoe worker from Lewiston plans to begin a 1,500-mile walk to his son’s home in Sebastian, Fla. His goal is to raise thousands of dollars to fight the illnesses […]
Posted inOur View
You beat the Dems, now fix the problems
The symbolic vote to repeal last year’s health care bill came off as scheduled Wednesday, fulfilling what Republicans feel was a central promise made to voters in November. As predicted, Democrats got another shellacking in the final tally, 245-189, with three Democrats crossing the aisle to support repeal. And, as predicted, the vote will now […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine to challenge health care law
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Supporters of the federal health care overhaul law are making a final plea to Maine officials to not join states that are challenging the law in court. But their request will likely to fall on deaf ears. Maine Attorney General William Schneider says he’s determined to have the state challenge portions […]
Posted inPerspective
Teens using Web to diagnose their own ailments
RALEIGH, N.C. — Dr. Duncan Phillips has a hectic pediatric surgical practice at WakeMed hospital, and it’s only getting busier. What’s generating much business is the inevitable mash-up of young patients and the Internet. “They diagnose themselves,” Phillips said, estimating he has at least one youngster a week who pinpointed his or her own medical […]