health care

The Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act is spearheaded by Republicans but has a few Democratic co-sponsors, including Golden.

Health care advocates joined U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner today in Bangor to highlight the impacts they say the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed this summer will have in Maine.

The new Capital Center complex features nursing simulation labs as well as a state-of-the-art training facility for UMA's cybersecurity degree program.

The news comes after Northern Light Health announced last week that it was ending contract negotiations with Anthem. Northern Light will soon be out of network for Anthem patients unless they can agree on a contract.

The tax credits lower the amount spent on health insurance premiums for plans purchased on the marketplace.

According to filings with the state Bureau of Insurance, the average proposed increases range from about 8% to 32%.

The Senate Budget Bill, which just passed, eliminates Medicaid reimbursements to healthcare providers who perform abortions. Maine Family Planning provides services to about 40,000 Maine residents, half of whom rely on MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program.

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau joined the call to preserve cost-of-living increases for CNAs, home health aides and other workers to avoid worsening the existing staffing shortage.

The current contract expires at the end of September, but Anthem said it will be extended through the end of the year if the two organizations are still negotiating.

But the bill's $12 million price tag could be a challenge for lawmakers to cover given the state's budget constraints. And while the funding would not pay for abortions, Republicans were skeptical and accused Democrats of resisting efforts to make prohibition explicit.