Parental rights to opt out remain strong after a bill to make it harder was vetoed, leaving districts with few options for getting more students inoculated.
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Hillary Clinton bringing small-scale campaign event to Portland
The campaign says her focus is on grassroots organizing and fundraising, an approach that contrasts with rival Bernie Sanders, who is filling large arenas for rallies.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine plans to deny food stamps when applicant’s assets top $5,000
A new rule calls for households with no children to reveal their bank balances and non-cash assets such as snowmobiles. Critics say the policy discourages savings and self-sufficiency.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mainers to see steep increases for ‘grandfathered’ individual health plans
Many of the 7,000 people who chose their old coverage over ACA marketplace insurance may be paying too much, experts say.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Federal grant boosts Maine Medical Center’s effort to grow kidneys from stem cells
Scientists at Maine Med’s Research Institute hope to eventually grow kidneys in the lab so sick patients won’t have to wait so long for transplants.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
For Maine emergency crews, responding to heroin overdoses is becoming routine
A night on the streets with Portland’s emergency medical techs unveils an insidious near-death cycle that – lacking adequate treatment options – exacts a savage toll.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Reforms to state retirement system backfire on Mainers with disabilities
The number of disability applications approved by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System has plummeted since 2009, with critics saying workers with disabilities no longer have time to make their cases effectively.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine overdose deaths this year on track to surpass 2014 record numbers
The latest occurs Thursday at a Portland homeless shelter, where a woman died of a heroin overdose.
Posted inLocal & State, News
New England would benefit from White House initiative to fight heroin epidemic
President Obama’s program – separate from any action Congress might take – would pair law enforcement with public health analysts in the regions where high drug use is reported.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s uninsured rate drops but remains highest in region, poll shows
Experts say Maine’s 9.4 percent rate is unlikely to improve much without a Medicaid expansion, which Gov. Paul LePage opposes.