Rep. Kristi Mathieson

Maddy summaryThis Maine bill creates a new "associate dentist" license category to expand access to oral health care by allowing dentists trained outside the United States to practice under supervision. To obtain this license, applicants must hold a degree in dentistry from an accredited school, pass required examinations, and agree to work in board-approved settings under the general supervision of a licensed Maine dentist. The law requires a written practice agreement that outlines specific authorized services, protocols for patient care, and procedures for handling medical emergencies or referrals. After six consecutive years of active practice with an associate dentist license, the holder is deemed to meet educational requirements and becomes eligible for a full dental license.

Maddy summaryLD 663 is a concept draft (per Joint Rule 208) introduced by Representative Mathieson of Kittery, proposing amendments to Maine's health care laws. The provided context only states the bill's general purpose without detailing specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties. No concrete policy changes, key mechanisms, or target populations are described in the available text. As a preliminary concept draft, the bill lacks the full legislative language needed for a substantive summary. Therefore, a complete summary cannot be generated from the current context.

Maddy summaryMaine LD 2198 would prohibit any transaction involving a health care entity in the state if that entity's debt-to-equity ratio exceeds 50 percent. The bill defines covered entities broadly to include hospitals, outpatient clinics, diagnostic centers, and various provider organizations, while explicitly excluding nursing facilities. This legislation implements a specific recommendation from a state commission tasked with evaluating regulatory oversight of health care transactions.

Maddy summaryThis Maine bill prohibits state health departments from issuing or renewing licenses for health care entities if their main campus is leased from a real estate investment trust (REIT). The legislation defines the "main campus" as the location containing the majority of an entity's inpatient beds and covers various providers, including hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers. An exemption applies to any hospital that was already leasing its main campus from a REIT before July 1, 2026, allowing these facilities to keep their license even if they are sold or transferred to new owners.

Maddy summaryMaine bill LD 2190 amends the state's Certificate of Need laws to require that new health care projects do not negatively affect the affordability and accessibility of services for all residents. The legislation specifically targets changes in ownership or operational control of health care facilities involving private equity companies or real estate investment trusts, mandating a detailed analysis of how such ownership structures impact the applicant's ability to meet regulatory conditions. To conduct this review, the Department of Health and Human Services must hire a consultant paid for by the applicant to investigate the prior activities and conduct of the involved financial entities, with the option to consult the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis Maine bill creates a new law that prohibits anyone from interfering with, controlling, or directing the clinical decisions of licensed health care professionals who have independent practice authority. The law specifically bans using discipline, threats, retaliation, or excessive pressure to dictate how much time providers spend with patients, when they must discharge patients, and which diagnoses or billing codes are used in medical records. These protections apply to interactions involving hospitals, clinics, and other health care entities, though nursing facilities are explicitly excluded from the definition of covered entities. The measure was introduced to implement a recommendation from a state commission evaluating regulatory oversight over health care transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine's Pharmacy Act to allow wholesalers and manufacturers to apply for initial licensure without having obtained their required federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration numbers at the time of application. Instead, these businesses must submit the federal registration numbers to the Maine Board of Pharmacy once they are obtained. The change streamlines the licensing process for pharmacy supply chain businesses while maintaining the requirement to provide the federal registrations within a reasonable timeframe after application. This directly affects businesses seeking to operate as wholesalers or manufacturers in Maine's pharmacy sector.

Maddy summaryLD 961 repeals a requirement that certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) in Maine must practice under physician supervision for two years before providing independent care. It also eliminates the "supervising nurse practitioner" designation, which was previously used to oversee CNPs during their supervised period. This change directly affects CNPs by removing barriers to independent practice, allowing them to provide care without the two-year restriction. The bill aims to address Maine's health care workforce shortage by expanding access to qualified providers.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative order directs the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services to draft a bill that would merge the state's Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure into one unified board. The measure aims to consolidate the regulatory oversight for both medical and osteopathic practitioners under a single administrative body. This procedural step is sponsored by Representative K. Mathieson from Kittery and focuses on streamlining the state's licensing framework for healthcare professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 30% income tax credit (capped at $300,000 annually) for small waterfront businesses in Maine that make qualifying disaster mitigation improvements to their property. It directly affects businesses meeting the gross receipts test ($47 million average annual revenue over 3 years) that operate on "working waterfront property" (e.g., commercial fishing, boating, or aquaculture operations with water access). Qualifying projects include structural elevation, stormwater management systems, erosion control, flood-resistant construction, and hazard warning systems designed to meet specific building codes. The credit applies to costs of projects completed after January 1, 2025, and cannot be combined with other similar tax credits. Unused credit amounts may be carried forward for up to 10 years.