Members of the Maine House of Representatives are expected to debate Senate changes to a bill that would overhaul the state’s health insurance market.    In a nocturnal session yesterday, Senate Republicans wooed the support of three Democrats and the chamber’s lone independent with two amendments clarifying aspects of the bill, LD 1333, which was ultimately [...]Read More>>

Proponents of the contentious health care reform bill unveiled by Republicans last week contend that the bill will stimulate innovation and lower premiums, but detractors insist the touted benefits are overstated.  The final bill consists of several components, all of which are coming under close scrutiny in anticipation of floor debates and votes this week.  One provision [...]Read More>>

Armed robberies have traditionally unfolded in bank lobbies or deserted gas stations, but police officers responding to these crimes in Maine are increasingly likely to rush to local pharmacies. Signifying the widening scope of the prescription drug epidemic in Maine, the number of pharmacy holdups jumped from 4 in 2009 to 21 in 2010. Opiate-seeking robbers have [...]Read More>>

Confronted with expanding federal mandates and static state revenues, Maine is joining the ranks of other states that are overhauling their Medicaid systems.  At the behest of the Legislature and the Governor’s office, officials at the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are currently working with stakeholders to reduce costs and enhance coverage for [...]Read More>>

Gardening aficionados in South Portland last night applauded an approved lease agreement that gives them partial ownership of a vacant plot of city-owned land, but detractors say the horticultural enterprise could cost local taxpayers.  The agreement, a product of month-long negotiations between city officials and members of the non-profit Community Gardening Collective, permits the collective to [...]Read More>>

The Bangor Daily News reported today that nurses at the Eastern Maine Medical Center have reached a “tentative accord.” Read the full story here. Read More>>

McClatchy reported recently that more states are moving to managed care models to cope with the mandate expansions of the federal health care reform act.  Read the full article here. Read More>>

WLBZ reports that more casino votes are on their way.  Two casino proposals might require voter approval in June. Read More>>

As of March 2011, 31 states collectively owe the federal government $44 billion.  Maine is one of only a handful of states that managed to evade debt because the state’s trust fund had more reserves than most.   Here’s a link to the short report by the NCSL. Read More>>

The House voted yesterday to prevent manufacturers from using bisphenol-A, an organic compound that some say is toxic.   The full story is at the Press Herald here. Read More>>