Patty Wight, Maine Public Radio

In Maine, Vaccine Mandate for EMTs Stresses Small-Town Ambulance Crews

窪蹋勛圖厙 News Original

The covid vaccination rate for first responders in the state is more than 95%. But it’s lower in more rural areas, where ambulance crews can’t function if even just a few people quit.

Maine Voters Consider U-Turn On Vaccine Exemptions

窪蹋勛圖厙 News Original

States tried to tighten vaccine requirements last year in the midst of measles outbreaks, but a backlash against a tougher law in Maine put a referendum on the ballot there. Voters weigh in on Super Tuesday.

Newly Blue Maine Expands Access To Abortion

窪蹋勛圖厙 News Original

After a wave of Democratic women were elected in 2018, Maine joins the handful of states that are shoring up the right to an abortion ahead of expected Supreme Court challenges.

Listen: Collins Plays Lets Make A Deal On ACA Mandate Repeal

窪蹋勛圖厙 News Original

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) says she will vote for the GOP tax bill even though it repeals the ACA’s mandate that everyone buy insurance. She’s gotten trade offs that she says will stabilize the market, but not everyone agrees they will offset the damage of losing the mandate.

Maine Voters Greenlight Medicaid Expansion, But Governor Says Whoa

窪蹋勛圖厙 News Original

A battle brews as Republican Gov. Paul LePage sayshe won’t implement the Medicaid expansion unless the Legislature funds Maine’s share. Other states, such as Idaho and Utah, are keenly watching.

Secret Sauce In Maine’s Successful High-Risk Pool: Enough Money

窪蹋勛圖厙 News Original

Before the Affordable Care Acts exchanges began, Maine had an invisible high-risk pool in place. Republican lawmakers are pointing to it as a success but it was better funded by a vast margin than the high-risk pools in the House replacement bill.