The governor vetoed a bill that would have required parents to consult with medical professionals and get signatures before being allowed to forgo vaccines for their children.
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 inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Legislature clears way for long-term Lyme disease treatment
A bill to shield doctors from license sanctions for prescribing long-term antibiotics becomes law without the governor’s signature.
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Posted inPolitics
Maine House passes bill to tighten vaccine exemptions
The margin isn’t wide enough to overcome an expected veto by Gov. Paul LePage, who says parents should have a right to choose whether their children are vaccinated
Posted inLocal & State, News
Car-window wish for kidney rewarded: Maine woman receives lifesaving transplant
Both patient and donor are reported to be doing well after surgery, capping an unusual story of strangers and sacrifice.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
MaineCare cuts imperil addicts seeking treatment
With eligibility requirements tightened for the state’s Medicaid program, more people are caught in the revolving door of short-term detoxification.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Press Herald pressing Maine CDC to identify schools with chickenpox outbreaks
A public records request seeks disclosures to keep Mainers informed about the highly infectious disease, so they can take steps to protect themselves
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lyme treatment legislation garners bipartisan support
Since Maine doctors risk sanctions for prescribing antibiotics, many patients seek remedy out of state.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Supreme Court kills governor’s appeal to allow MaineCare cuts
LePage spent over $100,000 to take his fight to the highest court, but 6,500 young adults will still keep their health coverage.
Posted inLocal & State, News
For some, Maine CDC’s silence carries deadly risks
As the state chooses to keep secret the specifics about outbreaks at schools, people who need to know are left in the dark.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine diverges from national guidelines by holding back outbreak information
Public health groups urge full disclosure about infections, but the state CDC’s policy is to avoid going public and naming schools.