Healthcare (Primary Care)

signed · Maine · House Mar 19, 2026

LD 1583: An Act Regarding Home Health Care And Hospice Services Ordered By A Health Care Provider Outside Of Maine

This bill allows Maine home health care and hospice providers to deliver services to Maine residents based on orders from licensed health care providers in other states. To qualify, the out-of-state provider must hold a valid license in their state, have performed an in-person patient exam in their jurisdiction, and verify their license with the Maine provider. The bill also requires the out-of-state provider to ask if the patient has a Maine primary care provider and, if so, to contact that provider and document the effort. This applies directly to patients receiving home health or hospice care in Maine who obtain service orders from providers outside the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to home health/hospice services by enabling out-of-state provider orders under strict licensing and verification requirements, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 721: Resolve, To Support The Full Implementation Of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics In The State

This resolution provides $1 million annually for two years to support Maine's five certified community behavioral health clinics participating in a federal Medicaid program. It directly affects these clinics by funding critical staff hiring and wage increases for clinical positions (raising wages to 125% of the state median wage) and administrative roles (to 100% of median wage). The funding specifically enhances the state's clinic rate methodology to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services in local communities. The resolution was enacted as an emergency to meet a federal program deadline before the 90-day legislative window expired.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health clinics with $1M/year, raises clinical wages to 125% median, improves access to behavioral health services95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds wage increases to 125% and 100% of state median wage for clinical/admin staff, directly advancing workers' compensation in mental health clinics95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Substance Abuse

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 581: An Act To Fund The Doctors For Maine'S Future Scholarship Program

LD 581 allocates $300,000 annually from the General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to maintain Maine's Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship Program. The program provides scholarships to medical students who commit to practicing primary care or in rural areas within Maine after graduation. This funding ensures the ongoing operation of the scholarship initiative, directly supporting future healthcare providers serving Maine communities. The bill does not create new policy but secures recurring financial support for an existing program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $300k annually from General Fund to maintain healthcare scholarship program, securing ongoing funding for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds medical student scholarships (higher education) via Maine's Doctors for Maine's Future program, directly supporting educational access for future healthcare providers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds scholarship program for medical students committing to primary care/rural practice in Maine, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Primary Care

Track

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 167: An Act To Provide 2 Hearing Aids To Mainecare Members With Diagnosed Hearing Loss

LD 167 expands MaineCare coverage to provide reimbursement for two hearing aids - one for each hearing-impaired ear - for eligible members with diagnosed hearing loss. Currently, MaineCare covers only one hearing aid per member; this bill adds a second aid under specific conditions. To qualify for the second aid, members must meet department-established criteria, such as severity of hearing loss, enrollment in school or vocational training, employment needs, or a primary care provider's recommendation. The hearing loss must be documented by a licensed primary care provider or audiologist, and hearing aids must be supplied by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dealer. This change directly affects MaineCare members with bilateral hearing loss who meet the new eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands MaineCare coverage for hearing aids, increasing access to essential health services by providing two aids instead of one for eligible members with hearing loss.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

failed · Maine · House Mar 20, 2025

LD 480: An Act To Support Healthy Weight By Providing Mainecare Coverage For Certain Weight Loss Medications

This bill requires MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) to cover FDA-approved weight loss medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for obesity treatment. It directly affects MaineCare beneficiaries seeking these medications, expanding coverage previously unavailable under the program. The key mechanisms include restricting coverage to prescriptions from primary care providers or bariatric specialists and requiring prior authorization before coverage is granted. This policy change formally adds specific weight loss medications to MaineCare's covered services list.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands MaineCare coverage for FDA-approved weight loss medications, improving access to obesity treatment under Medicaid program95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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failed · Maine · House May 21, 2025

LD 742: An Act To Permit Telehealth Services Across State Lines Following Referral From A Primary Care Provider Based In The State

This bill allows healthcare providers licensed in other states to offer telehealth services to Maine patients under specific conditions. Maine patients seeking specialty care can access out-of-state providers if referred by a Maine-licensed primary care provider who obtains the patient's written consent. The out-of-state provider must be fully licensed in their home state, have no license restrictions, and disclose their qualifications to the patient before providing care. The law ensures these providers follow Maine's telehealth standards while expanding access to specialty care across state lines. It directly affects Maine patients needing specialty care and out-of-state healthcare providers seeking to serve Maine residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands patient access to specialty telehealth services across state lines with provider safeguards, improving healthcare delivery options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

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signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 70: An Act To Fund Free Health Clinics

This bill allocates $250,000 from the General Fund for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to support Maine's free health clinics. The funding will be distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services using a formula based on the number of clients served at each clinic plus a base amount per clinic. It directly affects community health clinics providing services to low-income residents, particularly in underserved areas. The bill is a one-time funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely providing financial support for existing clinic operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $250k annually from General Fund to fund free health clinics, increasing public health spending for low-income residents.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $250k annually to fund free health clinics serving low-income residents, directly expanding access to healthcare services in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

signed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 67: An Act To Establish Minimum Standards For Certain Urgent Care Facilities

LD 67 defines "urgent care facility" as a walk-in clinic providing non-life-threatening care, excluding hospital-licensed sites, overnight facilities, and private physician offices. It requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to establish licensing standards by July 1, 2026, including a fee between $50 and $500. The standards must cover staffing, care quality, advertising, inspections, complaint handling, and accreditation. These rules directly affect urgent care facilities meeting the defined scope, ensuring minimum operational and safety requirements. The bill creates a regulatory framework without specifying additional funding or penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for urgent care facilities to ensure quality, safety, and patient protection, advancing healthcare infrastructure and access standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Primary Care