Healthcare (Primary Care)

signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 2088: An Act To Increase Access To Primary Care Provided By Physician Associates

This bill allows physician associates to work as the main healthcare providers in clinics that do not have a doctor on staff, removing the current requirement for them to have a formal practice agreement with an active physician. It also changes consultation rules by making it optional for physician associates to consult with physicians and removes the mandate that a physician must be available at all times for consultation. These changes aim to address shortages of medical providers, particularly in rural areas, by increasing the number of physician associates who can practice primary care. The legislation applies to physician associates, healthcare facilities, and medical practices across Maine.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands primary care access by allowing physician associates to work independently, addressing provider shortages and improving healthcare availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 23, 2026

LD 2144: Resolve, To Establish The Working Group To Prioritize Wellness And Mental Health Resources For Heritage Industries

This bill amends a resolution to create a working group focused on improving wellness and mental health resources for workers in Maine's heritage industries. The amendment clarifies that the group will include a representative from logging specifically, and expands the group's responsibilities to address primary care access, challenges faced by migrant workers, and support for individuals with serious brain disorders or traumatic brain injuries. These changes aim to ensure the working group considers a broader range of workforce needs and specific health concerns within the industry.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates working group to improve wellness and mental health resources, expands responsibilities to address primary care access and support for individuals with brain disorders, directly advancing healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates working group to improve wellness and mental health resources for workers, addressing workplace safety and worker benefits in heritage industries85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 1746: An Act To Reduce Dental Disease And Ensure Access To Essential Preventive Dental Care Among Maine Children

LD 1746 requires the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to provide school-based preventive dental care in all public schools by January 1, 2027 (delaying the original 2025 deadline). It mandates creating mobile dental clinics in every public health district through public-private partnerships, modeled after the Cumberland County School Oral Health Project. The bill also directs the department to train primary care providers on minimally invasive treatments like silver diamine fluoride for young children, using guidance from the "From the First Tooth" program. This legislation directly affects Maine children in public schools by expanding access to preventive dental services and makes permanent two related staff positions within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school-based dental care, mobile clinics, and provider training to expand preventive dental access for children, directly advancing healthcare services under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

failed · Maine · Senate Mar 18, 2025

LD 377: An Act To Establish A University Of Maine Medical School And To Dedicate Funds From Raising The Cigarette Tax To The School

LD 377 increases Maine's cigarette tax from 100 to 150 mills per cigarette and dedicates 33% of the resulting revenue to establish a University of Maine medical school in Penobscot County. The medical school must include a rural health care curriculum and provide clinic outreach to seven rural counties: Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington, Waldo, Hancock, and Somerset. The remaining 67% of the tax revenue will go to the state's General Fund. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases cigarette tax to fund medical school (33% revenue) and General Fund (67%), directly allocating tax revenue to public service program per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDedicates 33% of cigarette tax revenue to establish University of Maine medical school, advancing higher education infrastructure and rural health curriculum within the University of Maine System.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDedicates 33% of cigarette tax revenue to establish a medical school with rural health curriculum and clinic outreach to seven rural counties, directly funding healthcare education and improving rural access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Curriculum Primary Care

Track

signed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 528: An Act To Address The Rise In Rabies In Animals By Appointing Certified Rabies Vaccine Administrators

This bill creates a certification program for non-veterinarian individuals to administer rabies vaccines to cats and dogs. It requires the state to develop a training program covering proper vaccine storage, administration, certificate issuance, and owner education. The law now allows rabies vaccinations to be performed by certified vaccinators, in addition to licensed veterinarians or those under their supervision. It also mandates that vaccination certificates be reported to state and local authorities and requires at least one low-cost rabies clinic per county annually.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands rabies vaccination access via certified non-veterinarians, strengthening public health prevention of zoonotic disease through broader vaccine administration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

signed · Maine · House Mar 25, 2025

LD 63: An Act To Support Implementation Of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Projects

LD 63 redirects existing state funds (appropiated in Public Law 2023, Chapter 643) to support Maine's participation in a federal Medicaid demonstration program for mental health services. It requires the State Controller to transfer these funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for use as the state's Medicaid share, enabling state-licensed mental health organizations to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic program. This allows these organizations to access federal matching funds and implement a Medicaid payment model for integrated mental health and substance use services. The bill directly affects licensed mental health providers seeking to participate in this federal program, aiming to improve access to comprehensive care for Maine residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects state funds to expand mental health clinic access via Medicaid program, directly funding behavioral health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

signed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1497: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Primary Care Reporting By The Maine Quality Forum And To Establish The Primary Care Advisory Council

LD 1497 establishes the Primary Care Advisory Council and requires the Maine Quality Forum to submit annual reports on primary care metrics starting January 2026. The bill mandates reports on four key areas: primary care spending as a percentage of health care costs, workforce capacity, timely access to services, and preventive care metrics. The advisory council - comprising 16 members including primary care providers, health insurers, employers, and consumer advocates - will assess primary care gaps and recommend policy changes to improve access, workforce distribution, and preventive care. This bill directly affects primary care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants), health insurers, employers, and Maine residents seeking accessible, affordable primary care. It does not change funding or create new regulations but sets a framework for data-driven policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates annual primary care reporting on access, workforce, spending, and preventive care metrics to improve system quality and access, directly advancing healthcare services through data-driven oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

in committee · Maine · Senate Jun 4, 2025

SP 720: Joint Order To Amend Joint Rule 308

This bill (SP 720) prohibits nonprofit hospitals and medical care organizations in Maine from charging cost-sharing fees for screening mammograms. It directly affects these healthcare providers and insurers by requiring coverage without patient cost-sharing, with one exception for health savings account policies meeting federal tax rules. The bill also updates enforcement by raising civil penalties for insurance violations to a maximum of $100 per violation per day and revises administrative forfeiture procedures. These changes amend specific sections of Maine’s insurance laws (24 MRSA §2320-A and §222) to strengthen patient access to preventive care and regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits cost-sharing for mammograms, expanding access to preventive care without patient fees, aligning with coverage expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 17, 2025

LD 1837: An Act To Amend The Laws Affecting Insurance

LD 1837 prohibits nonprofit hospitals and medical care organizations in Maine from charging patients copays or deductibles for screening mammograms. This directly affects patients seeking preventive care and healthcare providers who must cover these costs. The bill also updates insurance regulation penalties, allowing civil fines of up to $100 per violation per day for insurers and modifying enforcement procedures. It adds new court powers for the insurance superintendent to seek injunctions against violations and to reverse invalid transactions. These changes aim to improve access to preventive care and strengthen regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits copays for screening mammograms, improving access to preventive healthcare services and reducing patient financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1511: An Act To Expand Direct Health Care Service Arrangements

This bill amends Maine law to expand access to direct primary care by removing the requirement that a provider must be specifically authorized to offer primary care services. It allows any licensed physician or advanced health care practitioner to enter into direct primary care agreements with patients, where patients pay a fixed fee directly for services like routine checkups and chronic condition management - without the provider billing insurance for those services. The bill also clarifies that direct care arrangements are not insurance, do not satisfy federal health coverage requirements, and removes barriers preventing providers from simultaneously offering direct care and other services (such as working with insurers or participating in state pilot programs). This change directly affects patients seeking affordable primary care options and providers choosing to operate outside traditional insurance models.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves authorization barriers for direct primary care, enabling expanded patient access to routine services without insurance billing, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care