PORTLAND (AP) — Officials in Portland expect a smooth transition as a city-run health care clinic for the homeless scales back operations, while another nonprofit clinic picks up the slack. The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1jqc7Qk ) reported that there had been concerns about a coverage gap. But Sheila Hill-Christian, Portland’s deputy city manager, wrote in […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine House votes to override veto on health care price bill
AUGUSTA — Maine’s House of Representatives has voted to overturn Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that makes changes to the law requiring health care providers to make available a price list of common procedures. The House voted 138-4 on Friday in favor of overriding the bill that requires providers to tell patients […]
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Lewiston-based health insurer finds success with ACA
AUGUSTA — Consumers signing up for health insurance on the marketplaces created under President Barack Obama’s landmark health care law have consistently turned to big-name insurers over smaller nonprofits and startups. But Maine has gone the other way, with a vast majority of residents putting their trust in the new co-op Maine Community Health Options […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine House supports bill that would study single payer systems
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-controlled House has given initial approval to a proposal to have the state examine whether to implement a universal health insurance coverage system. The House voted 91-52 in favor of the bill Tuesday that would direct the state to contract with a consultant who would study options for establishing a single-payer system […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Maine groups busy on last day for insurance sign-ups
LEWISTON — By midmorning Monday, the state’s only health insurance co-op was getting so many calls — How do I get insurance by the deadline? Did the federal marketplace send over my sign-up information yet? How do I make a payment? — that its CEO grabbed a free desk and started answering phones. So did […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine study to test value of Vitamin D in diabetes prevention
PORTLAND — The Maine Medical Center Research Institute wants to find out if Vitamin D can prevent Type 2 diabetes. The Scarborough institute needs 600 to 700 people who are possibly at risk of becoming diabetic. The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1jQJQ8O ) reported about 150 will be selected to participate. Half will be given a […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Survey: Mainers struggle to pay medical bills — even those with insurance
Many Maine residents, even those with health insurance, struggle to afford their medical bills, a new statewide survey has found. While the poorest Mainers reported the most difficulty affording health services, more than a quarter of residents with health coverage ran into trouble paying medical bills, according to the survey released Wednesday by the Maine […]
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Maine surpasses federal targets for ACA enrollments
AUGUSTA — The federal government says more than 25,000 Maine residents have picked health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, surpassing the target set by President Barack Obama’s administration for the entire enrollment period that ends this month. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday that 25,412 Maine residents selected plans […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Health official: ACA stresses patient responsibility
LEWISTON — Hospitals are making progress in managing the health of local populations, according to a speaker at Bates College on Thursday. Cindie Rice, Central Maine Medical Center’s community health assessment and wellness manager, said the federal Affordable Care Act has focused attention on making patients take more responsibility for their care. Rice underscored cooperation […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine Medical Association urges lawmakers to compromise on Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA — A band of health care providers speaking on behalf of the Maine Medical Association urged lawmakers Thursday to reach a bipartisan compromise to expand the state’s Medicaid program to cover a larger group of low-income residents. Doctors and a nurse practitioner speaking during a news conference at the State House said they favor […]