Abby Bedard, 13, spent 10 months at the Redington-Fairview General Hospital emergency department – a stay that highlights the shortage in Maine services for children with disabilities.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inMaine, News
‘We’re suffering here’: Maine families of children with disabilities wait for help
The Department of Justice this month sued the Mills administration over the state’s services for disabled children. Families hope the legal action is a catalyst for change.
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Posted inMaine
Surgeon general visits Maine, encourages social connections to combat isolation
Dr. Vivek Murthy said loneliness is a public health issue just like smoking and obesity.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Maine
Maine woman sues Anthem insurance for failing to cover weight loss drugs
It’s the second lawsuit filed this year in Maine against insurance carriers that limit coverage of popular drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Lawmakers seek to reform Maine’s child disability services in wake of federal lawsuit
A legislative commission has been tasked with finding solutions to improve the state’s under-fire Department of Health and Human Services.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Politics
Maine legislative committee backs Gov. Mills’ nominee for health commissioner
The Health and Human Services Committee votes 10-2 in favor of Sara Gagné-Holmes’ nomination, which now goes to the full Senate.
Posted inMaine, News
Advocates urge Mills administration to quickly resolve federal lawsuit over care for disabled children
A spokesperson said Gov. Janet Mills is ‘actively engaged’ in lawsuit negotiations, but a key state senator called for the governor to get ‘personally involved’ in finding solutions.
Posted inMaine
Department of Justice sues Maine over treatment of children with behavioral disabilities
The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland says the state has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Another case of mosquito-borne illness in Maine animals highlights growing risk as climate warms
Maine has reported 15 cases of West Nile Virus in animals and 3 cases of EEE so far this year, diseases that were rarely detected here years ago.
Posted inElection 2024, Health, Maine, Politics
Pingree campaigns for Harris by contrasting her health care plans with Trump’s
The 1st District Democrat says a second Trump presidency would result in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, more attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and a potential national abortion ban.