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Report Finds That School Breakfast Program Is Underutilized In Maine

By • Feb 13, 2019
Matt York / AP Photo

Only 60 percent of Maine children who participate in federal free and reduced price school lunch programs also participate in school breakfast, according to a report released Wednesday by the national nonprofit Food Research and Action Center.

Survey: Maine DHHS Deluged By Reports Of Abuse Against Elderly, Adults With Disabilities

By • Feb 12, 2019

Some state caseworkers say they’re being overwhelmed by a significant increase in reports of abuse and neglect of adults with disabilities and the elderly.

Maine CDC Says Fake Flyers Warn Of Bogus Vaccine Side Effects

By • Feb 11, 2019

The Maine Center for Disease Control is alerting consumers about fake flyers circulating in southern Maine that warn about side effects of vaccines.

ACLU To Argue For Medication-Assisted Treatment In Jails

By • Feb 11, 2019

AUGUSTA, Maine - The federal court in Maine is set to hear a lawsuit challenging the ban on medication-assisted treatment in county jails.

Drug Overdoses Continue To Claim Hundreds Of Lives In Maine

By • Feb 8, 2019

  In the first three quarters of 2018, 282 people in Maine died from drug overdoses, a slight decrease from the number who fatally overdosed in the first three quarters of the previous year.

King Urges More Military Involvement In Drug War

By • Feb 8, 2019
Andrew Harnik / AP Photo

U.S. Senator Angus King is pressing military leaders to provide more information about the resources they need to bolster drug interdiction efforts.

State Drops Remaining Complaints Against Maine Dentist

By • Feb 6, 2019

The Maine Board of Dental Practice has dismissed the remaining allegations against a Lewiston dentist who was accused of putting the health and safety of his patients in jeopardy. The decision comes nearly one year after the Board cleared Dr. Jan Kippax of 64 allegations filed by five patients.

Bill Would Allow Maine To Stock Over-The-Counter Medication In Vending Machines

By • Feb 5, 2019

Along with chips, candy and soda, nonprescription drugs could be among the items sold in Maine vending machines if a proposed bill passes.

How Shellfish Could Help Fight Diseases In Humans

By Beth Brogan - Bangor Daily News • Feb 4, 2019
Courtesy Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences / via Bangor Daily News

A recent study by researchers at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science in East Boothbay indicates that bivalves — shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels — may hold the key to new techniques to fight diseases in humans.

State Bill Addressing 'Step Therapy' Could Give Patients More Control Over Their Treatment Choices

By • Feb 3, 2019
Patty Wight / Maine Public

Drug prices are a problem in the United States for patients and insurance companies. To control costs, insurers sometimes use a tool called step therapy. The tool requires patients who are prescribed expensive medication to try more cost-effective alternatives before 'stepping up' to the medication that costs more. Critics say that step therapy can delay effective treatment and the health system more, which is why some patients and advocates in Maine are backing a state bill that would give patients more control in their drug choices.

Maine CDC's Public Health Alerts Are Going Online

By • Feb 2, 2019

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is putting its public health alerts online.

Coalition Considering Changes To State Laws To Address Maine's Drug Crisis

By • Jan 31, 2019
Patrick Sison / AP Photo

The Maine Coalition for Sensible Drug Policy wants lawmakers to consider a number of changes in state law and policy to address the state’s drug crisis that claimed the lives of 418 Mainers last year.

Advocates Urge Safe Injection Sites To Combat Opioid Crisis

By • Jan 31, 2019

Drug treatment advocates in Maine have unveiled a slate of wide-ranging recommendations to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, including establishing safe injection sites and decriminalizing drug possession.

Report Finds That Tobacco Use Is Increasing Among Maine Teens

By • Jan 30, 2019
STEVEN SENNE / AP Photo

In the American Lung Association's annual State of Tobacco Control report released Wednesday, Maine scored an A grade for raising the age to buy tobacco products to 21, but overall, the state’s smoking rates are still higher than the national average.

Committee Takes Up Bill To Write ACA Protections Into Maine Law

By • Jan 30, 2019

The Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee on Tuesday considered a bill that would codify consumer protections under the Affordable Care Act into state law.

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