PORTLAND — The company under fire for its poor performance as a provider of non-emergency transportation for people in Maine’s Medicaid program failed to obtain a performance bond as required by its contract with the state. MaineCare patients have lodged thousands of complaints against Coordinated Transportation Solutions of Connecticut, mostly from people who say they […]
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Posted inMaine
Lawmakers challenge LePage on contract for Medicaid critic
AUGUSTA — Key state lawmakers, including a Lewiston senator, are questioning a nearly $1 million contract to hire a consultant to study an expansion of Medicaid in Maine. Lawmakers also are questioning the consulting firm’s objectivity and why Department of Health and Human Services officials in Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration awarded the no-bid contract under […]
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Lawmakers to reconsider rejected bills for 2014 session
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers whose bills were rejected last month will have one more shot this week to convince legislative leaders that their measures merit consideration when they meet again in January. The Legislative Council, a bipartisan panel of House and Senate floor leaders and presiding officers that decides what bills are heard next session, approved […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage threatens to sue Legislature over state budget
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has threatened to sue the state’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee if they do not balance the state budget in the next session. Speaking to a group of Kiwanis Club members in Dexter on Nov. 15, the governor lamented “gimmicks” used to balance the budget approved by the Legislature in July. LePage […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Portland City Council approves abortion clinic buffer zone
PORTLAND — Despite a rare show of opposition, an ordinance enacted by the City Council on Monday means anti-abortion protesters now have to carry their picket signs 39 feet away from the entrances to the Planned Parenthood clinic at 443 Congress St. The ordinance, approved 9-0, creates a protest-free “buffer zone” around reproductive health care […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine health officials to study Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA — The state has agreed to pay $1 million to an outside consultant to evaluate Maine’s Medicaid program and study whether it should be expanded under the federal health care overhaul, officials said Tuesday. Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services signed the contract with the Alexander Group, led by Gary Alexander, former welfare chief […]
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Gov. LePage awards $10,000 grant to Lewiston language program
LEWISTON — Maine Gov. Paul LePage is kicking in $10,000 for a program meant to help immigrant families gain English skills. In a low-key visit to the city Monday, LePage met with some of the families who will benefit from the program being offered by the Portland-based Learning Works. Learning Works CEO Ethan Strimling reminded […]
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Michaud says Maine should cancel MaineCare ride contract, get its money back
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud is challenging Maine Gov. Paul LePage to exhibit “leadership and action” in light of ongoing problems with a state-funded nonemergency ride program. Michaud is a Democratic candidate for governor in 2014. The $40 million ride program, funded under the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, provides rides to medical appointments for eligible […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Obama administration optimistic that ACA will cover more Mainers
AUGUSTA — The number of Maine residents enrolled in the new health care marketplace is expected to grow substantially over the next couple of months, the top U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official for New England told Maine lawmakers and industry experts Monday. Christine Hager said that the first part of the open enrollment, […]
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Macdonald offers support to 2nd District candidate Poliquin
LEWISTON — Lewiston Mayor Bob Macdonald said on Monday that he is supporting Bruce Poliquin in the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in 2014. Poliquin, a Republican and former state treasurer, is running for the open seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat who is running for governor. “I encourage you to also […]