Maine State News From The Associated Press 4-27-22

Maine to update reimbursement rates to aid health centers

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine might update its reimbursement rates for health care centers that serve rural and low-income residents. Maine is home to dozens of Federally Qualified Health Centers that serve more than 200,000 residents. The centers rely on reimbursement from MaineCare to provide service. Democratic Sen. Ned Claxton of Auburn says MaineCare’s reimbursement rates were set almost 20 years ago, and that has caused many of the centers to struggle financially in the state. The Maine Senate enacted a bill on Monday that would update that standard to provide more accurate reimbursement rates.

BLEACHERS CRASH

Man pleads guilty to crashing into bleachers, killing man

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A driver who crashed into bleachers at a youth baseball game, killing a 76-year-old man, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The Portland Press Herald reports that 31-year-old Jonathan Burt, of Lisbon, was sentenced in Cumberland County Superior Court to four and a half years in prison. The vehicle crashed into bleachers at Deering Oaks Park in Portland and came to a rest on a playground in July 2020. Officers administered two doses of Narcan to Burt. The victim had moved from Rwanda a year earlier to live closer to his son. He was a father of nine and a survivor of the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

SMOKING CESSATION

Maine, with region’s highest smoking rate, funds cessation

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is increasing funding for smoking cessation programs as the state tries to shed the distinction of having the highest rate of smoking in New England. Almost 18% of adults in Maine use cigarettes according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Maine Legislature enacted a bill on Monday to increase funding for cessation and prevention and treatment programs to $15.9 million. That’s the amount recommended by the U.S. CDC. Lawmakers said the proposal includes $7.5 million in new funding.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-PRISONERS-UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment benefits to be returned to Maine prisoners

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is returning unemployment benefits to about 50 state prisoners who lost their work-release jobs at the start of the pandemic. The Maine Department of Labor initially granted unemployment benefits before Democratic Gov. Janet Mills stepped in, saying it was “poor public policy” and ordering the money to be held in a trust. The agreement calls for the money, totaling $163,228, to be returned. Under the settlement, none of the parties admitted wrongdoing. State officials had no immediate comment.

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

Maine is one step closer to establishing aerospace industry

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is closer to launching its space program after Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill to create the Maine Space Port Corp., a law aimed at growing the state’s aerospace industry. The Portland Press Herald reported Sunday that Mills signed the bill into law on April 19, creating a public-private partnership that would build launch sites, data networks and operations to send satellites into space. A study estimates that the space economy will bring thousands of jobs to Mainers while annually contributing about a billion dollars to the state’s economy. The complex’s initial construction costs are between an estimated $50 million and $250 million.

MAINE LEGISLATURE-DRUG OVERDOSES

Bill to expand Maine’s Good Samaritan law sent to governor

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature has approved a compromise bill to expand a law shielding people who report drug overdoses. It builds on a 2019 law that exempted from criminal liability the person who calls 911 for help, along with the person who overdosed. It’s now expanded to shield anyone at the scene of an overdose who’s trying to help. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Chloe Maxmin, of Nobleboro, said the bill shows lawmakers listened to “people on the ground” who see overdoses regularly. The governor is expected to sign it.