MaineHealth CEO Andy Mueller recently told the Portsmouth Herald that “the health of the community is tied directly to the health of the economy of the community.” This starkly contradicts MaineHealth’s recent announcement that they will be terminating Maine Medical Center from Anthem’s network.

Maine health care costs are among some of the highest in the nation, and a significant burden on the community. If Maine Medical Center leaves Anthem’s network, this will raise health care costs for over 300,000 Mainers who rely on Anthem for insurance.

MaineHealth initiated this departure only after Anthem held them accountable for overbilling patients to the tune of $20 million. And even though they agreed to a mediation process, during it they made the premature announcement that they intended to terminate this access. It raises this question: If MaineHealth truly had their patients’ best interests at heart and were willing to negotiate, why would they make such an announcement in the middle of negotiations? One could wonder if they truly had any intention of negotiating in the first place.

Nevertheless, it is time for MaineHealth to set aside their differences and come back to the negotiating table with Anthem. A partnership between the state’s largest hospital and the state’s largest health insurance provider is critical for ensuring Mainers have access to the quality health care they deserve.

Jonathan Moynahan
Eliot

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