PORTLAND, Maine — Six Maine hospitals are facing penalties from the federal government for having high rates of infections and other patient injuries.
The Portland Press Herald reports that the hospitals are Maine Medical Center in Portland; St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston; Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor; MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta; Inland Hospital in Waterville; and Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle.
They are six of 721 hospitals nationwide that will lose an estimated $373 million in federal funds. The exact amount each hospital will be penalized was not disclosed.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will lower Medicare payments to these hospitals by 1 percent over the fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30.
Hospital spokespeople says the issues are being resolved.