But the DHHS policy is under scrutiny after complaints that it appears to say photos are mandatory.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Collins cites possible tie between hospital pain control surveys, overprescription of opioids
The Maine Republican leads a group of 26 senators questioning whether hospital patient surveys on pain control should be tied to federal funding.
Sen. Angus King urges CVS to make overdose antidote available over the counter
The drug store chain already offers naloxone without a prescription in 14 states, and Maine has a dire need, he says.
Maine has big stake in Obama plan to combat heroin addiction
If Congress approves the funding, thousands could get treatment in the state, which has been hit hard by the epidemic.
Bill to boost MaineCare payments for methadone clinics receives support from doctors, police
No one speaks against a Republican senator’s proposal, an effort to help more clinics open and improve services to fight addiction.
Methadone clinic reimbursements would climb under York County lawmaker’s bill
Republican Sen. David Woodsome says methadone is a proven treatment, and the state’s present MaineCare reimbursements are too low to support clinics.
Lack of data slows work on Maine’s heroin addiction strategy, says chief of DHHS
Mary Mayhew also says the $500,000 in unspent state funding signals the demand for treatment is being met.
Brain works in mysterious ways, and science tries to keep up
When someone suffers a serious brain injury, often the best that doctors can do is give it a chance to work wonders upon itself.
Few influenza cases in Maine so far, but experts warn season has long way to go
Only 37 people have tested positive this season, compared with 682 in the state last year, partly because of the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Proposal to fund police diversion programs for heroin users just a start, lawmaker says
State Rep. Mark Dion says Medicaid expansion would pay for more than his plan’s handful of programs, but the governor has opposed the Medicaid option.