But public health experts say increased vaccinations and access to treatments mean the situation is not as dire as last winter.
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, Local & State, News
COVID-19 booster shot rollout accelerates in Maine
Supplies are sufficient, and demand is brisk, experts say.
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Posted inLocal & State
MaineHousing halts rental assistance program
The agency is waiting to see if the federal government will approve additional funding.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Gov. Mills launches program to give grants up to $2,000 to family caregivers
The $5.1 million program is for family caregivers of patients with disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, who are being cared for at home.
Posted inLocal & State
UMaine survey shows support for drug decriminalization, treatment programs
More than 84 percent of respondents to the 2021 survey supported establishing detox services in all Maine counties, and a nearly identical percentage supported reducing barriers to substance use treatment.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Maine expands program for free at-home COVID-19 testing
Maine households can now order 1 free COVID-19 test kit per month.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Thousands more Mainers now have access to dental care, but can’t find a dentist
Even before more than 200,000 adults became eligible for MaineCare’s dental benefits this summer, the state was experiencing a dearth of professionals to provide them.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Mills directs $11 million to services for adults with intellectual disabilities
An advocate says the funding is appreciated, but represents a short-term fix.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Thousands of Maine people per day getting their booster doses
Supplies are ‘sufficient, but limited,’ says Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
More Mainers have health insurance, census finds
The uninsured rate declined from 8% to 5.7% from 2019-21 after Maine expanded Medicaid, and is now about half what it was a decade ago.