Rival sides pack hearings to take a stance on bills to limit or stop parents from declining shots because of philosophic objections.
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.
Maine bill would help patients buy opiates that deter addiction
Insurance companies could no longer charge extra for those drug versions, creating more chances to curtail the state’s addiction problem.
A Maine teen has to ask: Is everyone in this room vaccinated?
The state’s high opt-out rate alarms those who rely on ‘herd immunity’ just to stay healthy, giving heft to a flurry of bills before the Legislature this week.
Bill calls for state-based exchange to protect Mainers insured under Affordable Care Act
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer on whether residents of some states, including Maine, are eligible for subsidies.
Some smokers facing high surcharge on health plans
Gov. LePage’s veto of a 20-percent cap survives an attempted override by the House.
Maine finding the recipe for healthier school lunches
The ingredients are incentives, ideas and collaboration, say officials with a program that has helped the state perform far above the national average.
Maine Med seeks way forward with woman’s kidney transplant
As the hospital works with legal experts on the fundraising ethical issue, the patient learns that surgery is out until she’s healthier.
Activists urge expanded access to opiates antidote in Maine
Rep. Henry Beck’s bill would allow friends of addicts to be prescribed or administer Narcan.
Maine could need 20 more restaurant inspectors, CDC director says
As the state faces a backlog of 1,400 overdue inspections, a legislative panel hears testimony on a bill to conduct them on a yearly basis.
Critics say cuts erode Maine’s public health system
More than half of the 44 positions slashed from Maine’s Center for Disease Control were federally funded, they say, needlessly leaving the state vulnerable. CDC officials argue the money’s not lost.