MaineHealth

Dr. Cliff Rosen, senior scientist at the Institute, said the funding — which was supposed to continue for two more years — supported building research infrastructure in Maine.

Hospitals and medical associations say the bill could help meet a severe physician shortage, but a similar bill failed to get funded last year.

The order, signed Tuesday, is titled 'Protecting Children From Chemical And Surgical Mutilation.'

The interpreters voted last year to unionize with the Maine Service Employees Association.

Waldo Hospital president Denise Needham said there simply aren't enough babies being born to sustain labor and delivery services.

The interpreters had filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board earlier this year over unpaid merit wage increases.

Mike Senecal, Senior Director of MaineHealth's Emergency Medical Services, said the new system will also alleviate strain on local EMS services, which have historically provided transport services.

More than 70 members of the MaineHealth Care at Home team have sent a petition of no confidence in its leadership after six members of the pediatric team were suspended, and two were terminated.

The 29-0 vote comes two years after nurses at Maine Medical Center, which is under the MaineHealth umbrella, voted to form their own union.

MaineHealth says masks will be required under certain circumstances, such as interactions with patients who have COVID.