Greater Portland Health would like to thank the Maine Primary Care Association for hosting the 2018 Legislative & Business Breakfast and to our local legislators for joining. The President of our Board of Directors, Victoria Foley, participated in the panel discussion which touched on the important role that community health centers play across the state of Maine, including the work we are doing to address current pressing issues and health priorities. #ValueCHCs

Held annually, the Legislative & Business Leaders Breakfast is one of the largest gatherings in the state of political, business and health care professionals. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees and the media to engage with members of the 128th State Legislature, partners in state government, representatives from the business community and leaders driving Maine’s health centers forward.

128th Maine Legislature: Health Care Bills

Last Thursday, February 1st, HHS Committee held a work session to discuss many bills. Updates on bills relevant to our work in the Greater Portland community:

LD 1710. This legislation restores funding to Maine's school-based health centers: The committee voted 8-4 "OUGHT TO PASS". This is a positive step but we still have a long way to go! LD 1710 now goes to the Appropriations Committee. If it passes Appropriations the it goes to the full House and Senate. Both chambers would have to pass it and then it would go to the Governor.

LD 1711. This bill would help 50 homeless people in Maine receive Medication Assisted Treatment for opiate use disorder and find housing. LD 1711 was tabled in the committee and will be scheduled for another work session soon. DHHS wants to work out more of the structure of the program (parameters and eligibility criteria) before the bill moves forward. The committee decided to table so that the sponsor and the Department have some additional time to work out further details.

Day of Demonstration

NACHC has designated today as a Day of Demonstration for America’s Health Centers and are asking Health Center Advocates to wear red in support as part of a #RedAlert4CHCs! Today, hundreds of advocates will be in DC meeting with their Members of Congress to express the urgency of a long-term fix to the Health Center Funding Cliff. For more information and ways to participate, go to: http://www.hcadvocacy.org/