In rural Maine, cross-training staff, incorporating more independent providers, and expanding training are some of the solutions being proposed.
hospitals
Sen. Collins introduces bill to support maternal health at rural hospitals
Seven Maine hospitals have closed their birthing centers in the past decade, and 2 more will do so this year.
Maine health groups push for law to protect access to discount drug program
Supporters say the bill is intended to help community health clinics access discounted drugs, but the pharmaceutical industry accuses hospitals of exploiting the program to increase profits.
Maine hospitals sound alarm about proposed cuts in Gov. Mills’ budget
The reimbursement rate cutbacks would amount to about a 36% cut in Medicaid payments to some doctors, according to hospital operators.
Closure of Maine’s rural birthing centers is part of national ‘crisis’
Women living in rural Maine communities are driving long distances to deliver their babies and struggling to access other care, mirroring a trend that’s expected to get worse.
Maine hospitals launch green initiatives to offset high energy use
The changes at Northern Light Health and MaineHealth include discontinuing certain anesthetic gases and pivoting to renewable heating sources.
Northern Light Health cuts costs as Maine hospitals face workforce, financial pressures
The state’s second-largest health care system operated at a deficit the past two years and expects to do so again in 2024.
When private equity buys a hospital, assets shrink, new research finds
In buying up U.S. hospitals, private equity firms often say they are providing capital to improve patient care. A new study concludes that the opposite is true.
Last year, Maine made assaulting an emergency medical worker a felony. The problem of patient violence remains
Prior to the new law, health care workers filed 167 intentional injury lost time claims in the first 7 months of 2023; 114 were filed in the first 4 months after the law took effect.
Bill on transparency about hospital facility fees takes effect without Gov. Mills’ signature
The law, a watered-down version of the original legislation, requires health care facilities to post signs to let patients know that facility fees are being charged.