News
It’s time to abandon private health insurance | Letter
1+ day, 6+ hour ago (250+ words) In his'recent op-ed, Dr. Jeffrey Barkin highlights one of the ways in which private health insurers let us down: They withdraw from markets where profit objectives are not being met. Patients often must find a new doctor or might no…...
It’s time to fish or cut bait on Maine’s health care crisis | Opinion
1+ week, 4+ day ago (480+ words) Joan Belcher of Alna is both a registered nurse and a licensed health insurance broker and Affordable Care Act expert. For 29 years, I've served as both a registered nurse and additionally a licensed health insurance broker and Affordable Care Act…...
ACA enrollment for 2026 declining in Maine, thousands cancel plans
2+ week, 5+ day ago (653+ words) Maine's Affordable Care Act enrollment for 2026 is down and thousands have dropped their plans, with many saying they couldn't afford the higher monthly premiums. Enrollment had dropped 7% as of Dec. 15, compared to the same time period last year, and about…...
As enrollment deadline approaches, ACA premiums set to spike in Maine
3+ week, 5+ day ago (497+ words) Even though Ossian Riday knew it was going to be financially painful to purchase an Affordable Care Act plan for 2026, he said it's still difficult to pay so much for such sparse health coverage. "We're paying a fortune for essentially…...
Health insurance companies should pay a price for abandoning Maine | Opinion
3+ week, 5+ day ago (1080+ words) Jeffrey S. Barkin,MD, DLFAPA, is a practicing psychiatrist in Portland and the former president of Maine Medical Association. He co-hosts "A Healthy Conversation" on WGAN. These fears are not partisan. They do not belong to one ideology or another. They…...
Small business owners in Maine facing huge spikes in ACA premiums
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (1178+ words) Mary Link loves her job as a self-employed business owner, helping to run a home improvement company with her husband, Jeremy. But the Links, like other small business owners across the state, are facing a large increase in their Affordable…...
Do the homework on your Medicare options this year | Opinion
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (760+ words) Stephen Murphy is an emeritus professor at the University of Southern Maine and a volunteer State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor. Medicare's annual open enrollment period is ending soon. Until Dec. 7, beneficiaries will be urged to review, compare and,…...
California nonprofit can acquire Central Maine Healthcare in Lewiston, state says
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (314+ words) Prime Healthcare Foundation can acquire Central Maine Healthcare as long as it does not cut hospitals or essential services, state officials said this week. Central Maine Healthcare, which owns Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital and…...
Maine small business owners decry soaring health care premiums if ACA tax credits expire
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (784+ words) SOUTH PORTLAND " Small business owners and self-employed workers said during a roundtable discussion with Maine Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree on Monday that their health insurance premiums will spiral to thousands per month if certain Affordable Care Act…...
When health insurance breaks down, we break too | Opinion
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (918+ words) Jeffrey S. Barkin,MD, DLFAPA, is a practicing psychiatrist in Portland and the former president of Maine Medical Association. He co-hosts "A Healthy Conversation" on WGAN. Most of us do not think much about health insurance until we need it. It…...