The pandemic-caused recession and a federal requirement that states keep Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled until the national emergency ends swelled the pool of people in the program by more than 9 million over the past year, according to a new report. The latest figures, released Thursday, show Medicaid enrollment grew from 71.3 million in February 2020, […]
Health
Maine Medical Center receives its largest gift ever, $25 million from Colorado couple
A new wing being built at the hospital will be named the Malone Family Tower, in honor of Leslie and John Malone, summer residents of Boothbay.
More evidence suggests COVID-19 was in U.S. by Christmas 2019
CDC officials initially said the spark that started the U.S. outbreak arrived during a three-week window from mid-January to early February.
Gov. Mills will end state of emergency for pandemic June 30
As part of her announcement, the governor also said the state will drop masking requirements for schools and day care centers.
U.S. officials extend expiration dates on J&J vaccine doses
A Food and Drug Administration review concluded the shots remain safe and effective up to four and a half months. The shots were originally approved for just three months.
Maine reports just 53 new COVID-19 cases, as rural vaccination rates lag
It was the 10th time in the last 11 days that new cases have been below 100, but progress could be impeded if more young and rural residents don’t get vaccinated.
New cases remain low, over 2 weeks after end of pandemic restrictions
Vaccinations, meanwhile, have slowed down dramatically as the state looks for new ways to entice those who have held out.
Q & A: Will I need a COVID-19 booster shot?
It’s not clear yet how long vaccines will protect against infection, but studies are underway to answer that question.
FDA approves new drug for Alzheimer’s that experts doubt will work
The decision is sure to spark disagreements among doctors, medical researchers and patient groups, and have far-reaching implications for the standards used to evaluate experimental therapies.
Maine’s air quality expected to plummet on Monday
The Department of Environmental Protection predicts that ground-level ozone concentrations will reach unhealthy levels along most of the state’s coastline.