The Department of Health and Human Services suspended payments in December to Gateway Community Services, which has denied allegations of fraud.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Mixed reaction to changes in Medicaid services for children with disabilities
After supporters raised an alarm, the Maine DHHS altered rules involving services for disabled children, fixing ‘what would have been some of the biggest threats to services,’ one advocate said.
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Posted inMaine, News
Moratorium won’t impact existing home health, hospice services in Maine, advocates say
The Trump administration announced a 6-month moratorium on new agencies, citing ‘waste, fraud and abuse’ in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Posted inMaine, News
Thousands of Mainers no longer receiving SNAP benefits
Historic changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program removed work exemptions and shifted more administrative costs to states.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
MaineHealth to open space at Biddeford hospital for research trials
The health system secured $2 million in funding from the Maine Technology Institute to create the research unit.
Posted inMaine, News
Here’s the state of tick-borne diseases in Maine
Lyme disease cases have been on the rise across the state, which logged a record number in 2025.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
MaineHealth ramping up chronic Lyme disease study
The study, which began in 2025, looks at why some people continue to have symptoms months or years after contracting the tick-borne bacterial infection.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Maine is preparing for new Medicaid work requirements in 2027
The state plans to hire 35 employees and spend $8 million to upgrade its online registration system.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Schools and Education
Some Maine schools have unsafe radon levels. Most haven’t been tested.
Just 12% of Maine’s school buildings were tested in the past 5 years, and nearly a quarter of them had elevated levels of the cancer-causing gas.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Maine, News
Maine paid family leave starts Friday. Who needs it most?
More than 2,000 working Mainers have pre-applied for paid family and medical leave, the Maine Department of Labor said.