A superior court judge this week approved the state’s petition to dissolve what has come to be known as the AMHI consent decree, which settled a class action lawsuit brought by former patients of Augusta Mental Health Institute.
Health
Sen. Collins proposes reimbursement reforms for EMS services
The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Manchin, I-West Virginia, would require payment for EMS services even when a Medicare patient is not transported to a hospital. Maine passed a similar bill in 2023 for patients with private insurance.
Biden proposes Medicare, Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans
Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under the proposed new rule.
Maine’s recalls of moldy cannabis prompt questions on state testing standards
On the heels of back-to-back-to-back recalls, industry members are calling for an examination of the state’s standards for yeast and mold, which they say are simultaneously too tight and too broad.
Public health advocates rail against Trump’s nomination of RFK Jr. for Cabinet post
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has made false claims about vaccines, has been tapped to become health and human services secretary in the Trump administration.
Advocates say aggressive marketing toward youth highlights need for a flavored tobacco ban in Maine
Video games and cartoon images are among marketing techniques to get kids to try vaping. Maine has tried twice in recent years to ban sales, but there hasn’t been enough legislative support.
Planned Parenthood says requests for birth control spiked in Maine after Trump election
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England said appointment requests for long-acting contraceptives like IUDs nearly doubled in the week after the Nov. 5 election.
Crow in Gorham tests positive for West Nile virus
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention tested the bird last week, the town announced Tuesday.
Maine transgender advocates fear a(nother) Trump presidency but vow to fight
Trump’s campaign often featured disparaging rhetoric and false claims about trans people, but his message was effective in seizing on broader fears.
Maine’s nursing workforce has increased, but not enough to meet demand
The number of licensed nurses has increased by 8.7% during the past three years, according to a report by the Cypress Research Group.