Business groups are cheering the Obama administration’s decision to delay for one year a requirement that employers provide health insurance to employees, even as some warn that the move only pushes inevitable problems with the mandate into the future. Since the 2010 enactment of the health-care overhaul, employers have railed against many of its provisions, […]
health care
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World, sj-web
Health care snag raises questions
WASHINGTON — Nothing’s ever easy with President Barack Obama’s health care law. The latest hitch gives employers an additional year before they must offer medical coverage to their workers or pay a fine. What does the delay mean for workers? And struggling businesses? And is it a significant setback for a law already beset by […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
New Maine law allows importation of foreign mail order prescription drugs
AUGUSTA — Mainers will soon be able to once again buy less expensive, mail-order prescription drugs from other countries, despite concerns from some pharmacists that the practice is unsafe. Under a new state law, residents will be able to buy drugs through firms like CanaRx. The Canadian business distributes prescription medications by mail and from licensed […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Franklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Oxford Hills, River Valley, The Franklin Journal
Bureau of Insurance releases more Anthem documents
LEWISTON — The Maine Bureau of Insurance is releasing more documents related to a new insurance plan proposed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, though not enough to end a court action by Central Maine Healthcare. The bureau announced plans to release some documents, including actuarial memorandums, a cost comparison tool for the individual […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Democrats weigh Republican study group proposal as way to expand Medicaid
AUGUSTA — Democrats who have championed an expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act have one legislative avenue left this year to pass it into law. Ironically, the last chance this year to enact one of the Democrats’ top priorities hinges on a bill proposed by the Republican leader in the Maine House. […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Maine’s health insurance exchange likely limited to two companies
LEWISTON — Mainers who want to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s upcoming health insurance exchange likely will have two insurance companies to choose from. But only if both are federally approved. The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act created health insurance exchanges, or marketplaces, through which individuals and small groups can […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Local & State, The Franklin Journal
Judge sets date for oral arguments in suit over Anthem plan
PORTLAND — A judge on Tuesday will hear arguments for and against postponing an upcoming public hearing on a new health insurance plan proposed by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Central Maine Healthcare would like the public hearing postponed. Officials for the Lewiston-based health-care organization say the public hasn’t been able to learn enough […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
CMMC hires new trauma program director
LEWISTON — Central Maine Medical Center has hired a new director for its trauma program. James F. Reilly, a specialist in trauma surgery, emergency surgery and surgical critical care, has served as a temporary trauma surgeon for CMMC for the past several months. He was recently named medical director for CMMC’s trauma program and general […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine hospitals agree to join network sharing health records
All of Maine’s acute-care hospitals have agreed to participate in statewide network that allows health care providers to share and view patients’ health records electronically. HealthInfoNet, a Portland nonprofit that operates the health records exchange, announced Tuesday that 34 of the state’s hospitals already are connected to the system and four more are under contract […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine lawmakers refuse to repeal health care law
AUGUSTA— The Legislature has said no to a move to bar enforcement of the national health care law. The Senate on Tuesday agreed with the House and voted to kill a bill that labeled the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 a violation of the United States Constitution, and null and void […]