AUGUSTA — The debate over whether state government should link the payment of its $484 million debt to Maine hospitals to an expansion of Medicaid ratcheted up again Thursday. The debate began with dueling press conferences and moved on to a 7-5 party-line legislative committee vote that paired the issues. Legislative leaders on opposite sides […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
New health insurer reaches agreement with Augusta physicians group to sell policies in Maine
One of two carriers that will offer policies through Maine’s health insurance exchange has lined up a group of central Maine physicians to treat patients with the new coverage. Maine Community Health Options, a consumer-run health insurer based in Lewiston, announced this week that it has contracted with the Kennebec Region Health Alliance, a physician […]
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Legislative committee ties Medicaid expansion to hospital payments
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted largely along party lines Wednesday to recommend that an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program be tied to the payback of Maine’s $484 million debt to its hospitals. The vote marks the first procedural move by Democrats in the Legislature to include an expansion of […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Health reforms penalize some Indians
SAN FRANCISCO — When Liz DeRouen needs any kind of health care services, from diabetes counseling to a dental cleaning, she checks into a government-funded clinic in Northern California’s wine country that covers all her medical needs. Her care and the medical services for her children and grandchildren are paid for as part of the […]
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CMMC excluded from proposed Anthem health plan
Patients in western and southern Maine will lose access to local doctors and hospitals under a “backroom deal” between MaineHealth and the state’s largest health insurer, according to an executive at another health system excluded from the arrangement. The deal could affect thousands of Maine residents, one consumer advocate said. MaineHealth, the parent organization of […]
Posted inLocal & State
Bill seeks to make hospital costs and finances more transparent in Maine
AUGUSTA — A bill that creates a special commission and an annual study of financial data for tax-subsidized hospitals in Maine could be the first step toward a more transparent health care system, according to proponents of the measure. Simply finding out how much any given medical procedure costs is nearly impossible, said the bill’s […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Federal data raises questions about how hospitals set fees
For the first time, the federal government will release the prices that hospitals charge for the 100 most common inpatient procedures. Until now, these charges have been closely held by facilities that see a competitive advantage in shielding their fees from competitors. What the numbers reveal is a health-care system with tremendous, seemingly random variation […]
Posted inLocal & State
Sides diverge on plan to pay Maine’s hospital debt
AUGUSTA — Legislative party leaders exchanged partisan jabs again Tuesday, extending the debate over how and when the state should pay off its more than $480 million debt owed to 39 hospitals across Maine. Adding a new wrinkle in the debate was new information from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that suggests […]
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Central Maine Orthopaedics to merge with two other practices
A proposed merger among three medical practices in Auburn and Greater Portland would mark the largest consolidation of independent physician practices in recent Maine history, according to those involved. Central Maine Orthopaedics, a 12-physician practice in Auburn, and OA Centers for Orthopaedics, a 16-physician practice in Portland, announced plans late Thursday to explore a merger […]
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Experts point to health care options for Mainers
AUGUSTA (AP) — About 127,000 uninsured Mainers will be required to get health insurance or face penalties starting next year under the federal health care overhaul, but experts say they shouldn’t panic because there will be options for coverage, and help getting it. The requirement, known as the individual mandate, has been one of the […]