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130th Legislative Session

MaineHealth utilizes its network of professionals and experts to weigh in on important policy issues that could impact our ability to meet our mission and vision.

Attached below is MaineHealth’s 130th Legislative Session Priorities:

Attached below is the 2022 Legislative Tracking Sheet:

Attached below are the End of Session Reports:

View legislative testimony and resources from the 129th Legislature (2019-2020)

Legislative Testimony

Below is legislative testimony provided by experts from MaineHealth.

2022 Testimony

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1778 “An Act to Improve Health Care Affordability and Increase Options for Comprehensive Coverage for Individuals and Small Businesses in Maine”

Brian Marden in Strong Support of LD 1938 “An Act to Prohibit Discriminatory Practices Related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program”

Sarah Calder Neither For Nor Against LD 1776 “An Act to Allow Pharmacists to Dispense an Emergency Supply of Chronic Maintenance Drugs”

Sarah Calder in support of LD 1778 “An Act to Improve Health care Affordability and Increase Options for Comprehensive Coverage for Individuals and Small Businesses in Maine”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1855 “An Act Regarding Point-of-Dispensing Sites for Immunizations against COVID-19”

Sarah Calder in Strong Support of Evidence-based Practices in LD 1910 “An Act to Improve Children’s Mental health by Requiring insurance for Certain Mental Health Treatment”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1920 “An Act to Enact the Interstate counseling Compact to Address Inequities in Access to Clinical Counseling Services and Increase Maine’s Provider Workforce”

2021 Testimony

Sarah Calder Neither for Nor Against LD 60 “An Act to Clarify the Minimum Amount of Emergency Refills of Insulin”

Sarah Calder in Opposition to LD 167 “An Act to Limit Late Medical Billing to 6 Months” and LD 367 “An Act to Require Timely Billing for Health Care Services”

Sarah Calder in Opposition to LD 178 “An Act to Reduce Waste of Prescription Medications”

Katie Fullam Harris in Qualified Support for LD 1 “An Act to Establish the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights”

Sarah Calder in Support for LD 523 and LD 617 “An Act Regarding Prior Authorizations for Prescription Drugs”

Corinn Martineau in Support of LD 603 “An Act Regarding the Practice of Pharmacy”

Beth Wilson in Support of LD 603 “An Act Regarding the Practice of Pharmacy

Brian Marden in Support of LD 998 “An Act to Amend the Continuing Education Requirement for Pharmacists”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 631 “An Act to Provide Funding for Maine’s Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program”

Elisabeth Erekson in Support of LD 790 “An Act Clarifying Patient Consent for Certain Medical Examinations”

Tiffany Townsend in Support of LD 1115 “An Act to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Medications”

Katie Fullam Harris in Opposition to LD 1196 “An Act Regarding Targets for Health Plan Investments in Primary Care and Behavioral Health”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1268 “An Act to Provide Greater Access to Treatment for Serious Mental Illness by Prohibiting an Insurance Carrier from Requiring Prior Authorization or Step Therapy Protocol”

Irwin Brodsky in Support of LD 673 “An Act to Create the Insulin Safety Net Program”

Penelope St. Louis in Support of “LD 945 An Act Regarding Notice by Health Insurance Carriers of Policy Changes”

Katie Fullam Harris in Opposition to LD 951 “An Act To Improve Transparency of Medical Billing” and LD 1353 “An Act to Require Public Posting of the Costs of Medical Procedures, Services, Medications and Equipment Delivered in Hospitals and the Reporting of Those Costs Upon Request”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1293 “An Act To Improve Access to Certain Injectable Medications for Treatment of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder”

Jasmine Bishop testified in Support for Telehealth Expansion on LD 323 “An Act Regarding Insurance Coverage for Telehealth Services”, LD 649 “An Act to Expand and Promote Telehealth Services”, LD 1007 “An Act to Increase Availability of Health Care through Telehealth”, LD 1194 “An Act to Reduce Health Care Worker Shortages”, and LD 1361 “An Act to Amend Telehealth Laws Regarding Out-of-State Telehealth Provisions”, LD 1681 “An Act Regarding Telehealth Services for Certain Licensees of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Certain Licensees Affiliated with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.”

Sarah Calder testified in Support of LD 1390 “An Act to Maximize Health Care Coverage for the Uninsured through Easy Enrollment in the MaineCare Program or in a Qualified Health Plan in the Marketplace.

Sarah Calder testified in Opposition to LD 738 “An Act to Provide High-quality Health Care for All Maine Residents”

Katie Fullam Harris in Opposition to LD 927, LD 931, LD 932, LD 935, and LD1004 “Bills that Would Repeal Sections of Maine’s Certificate of Need Statute”

2022 Testimony

Sarah Calder in Opposition of LD 1582 “An Act to Enact the Maine Psilocybin Services Act”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1868 “An Act to Restore Funding to the State’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program”
Sarah Calder Neither for Nor Against LD 1523 “An Act to Establish the Trust for a Healthy Maine” and LD 1693 “An Act to Advance Health Equity, Improve the Well-being of All Maine People and Create a Health Trust”


Cindy Wade in Strong Support of LD 1791 “An Act Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Provide Notice to Hospitals of Nursing Facility Closures”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1993 and LD 1994 “An Act to Establish a Progressive Treatment Program Monitor” & “An Act to Establish the Progressive Treatment Program Fund”

Sarah Calder Testified in Support of LD 2007 “An Act to Create the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Incidence Registry”

Katie Harris Testified in Qualified Support of LD 1867 “An Act to Codify MaineCare Rate System Reform”

Sarah Calder Neither For Nor Against LD 1848 “An Act to Increase the Availability of Assertive Community Treatment Services”

Sarah Calder Testimony in Support for LD 1781 “An Act to Align Postpartum MaineCare Coverage with Federal Law”

Sarah Calder Neither For Nor Against LD 1747 “An Act to Require Screening for Cytomegalovirus in Certain Newborn Infants”

Sarah Calder in Strong Support of LD 1758 “An Act Regarding Access to Telehealth Behavioral Health Services during Public Health Emergencies”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1771 “Resolve, To Establish the Advisory Panel to Better Understand and Make Recommendations Regarding the Implications of Genome-editing Technology for the Citizens of the State”

2021 Testimony

Sharon Craig Economides in Support of LD 85 “An Act Concerning MaineCare Coverage for Donor Breast Milk”

Mary Jane Krebs in Strong Support of LD 118 “An Act to Address Maine’s Shortage of Behavioral Health Services for Minors”

Nancy Green in Support for LD 265 “An Act to Provide Women Access to Affordable Postpartum Care”

Sarah Calder in Support for LD 269 “An Act to Prohibit Smoking in Bus Shelters”

Sarah Calder in Support for LD 510 “Resolve, To Reduce Stigma Regarding Substance Use Disorder by Requiring the Use of Respectful Language in the MaineCare Benefits Manual and Other Department of Health and Human Services Publications”

Victoria Rogers in Support of LD 78 “An Act To Protect Children from Extreme Poverty by Preserving Children's Access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Benefits”

Sarah Calder in Strong Opposition to LD 624 “An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Tobacco Specialty Stores”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 629 “Resolve, To Establish the Task Force to Study Improving Safety and Provide Protection from Violence for Health Care Workers in Hospitals and Mental Health Care Providers

Sarah Lynch in Strong Support of LD 674 “An Act to Support Early Intervention and Treatment of Psychotic Disorders”

Douglas Robbins in Strong Support of LD 674 “An Act to Support Early Intervention and Treatment of Psychotic Disorders”

Tricia Foley in Support of LD 590 “An Act to Require MaineCare Coverage for Ostomy Equipment”

Mark Parker in Opposition to LD 1001 “An Act to Ensure Parents’ Access to Their Minor and Adult Children with Special Needs”

Katie Fullam Harris in Strong Support of LD 1080 “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Update the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services”

Katie Fullam Harris in Strong Support of LD 1135 “An Act Regarding Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services and Increasing Reimbursement Rates for Those Services”

Elisabeth Wilson in Support of LD 718 “An Act to Improve the Health of Maine Residents by Closing Coverage Gaps in the MaineCare Program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program”

Kelly Barton in Strong Support of LD 1262 “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Develop a Comprehensive Statewide Strategic Plan to Serve Maine People with Behavioral Health Needs Throughout Their Lifespans”

Sarah Calder in Qualified Support of LD 1385 “An Act to Provide for Timely Placement with Respect to Violent Patients in Hospital Emergency Rooms”

Christopher Wellins in Support of LD 1386 “Resolve, to Improve Access to Bariatric Care”

Karen Evans in Support of LD 1147 “Resolve, To Enhance Access to Medication Management for Individuals with Serious and Persistent Mental”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1333 “An Act Concerning the Dispensation of Naloxone Hydrochloride by Emergency Medical Services Providers"

Karen Evans in Strong Support of LD “1470 Resolve, Regarding Reimbursement for Providing Inpatient Care to Individuals with Acute Mental Health Care Needs”

Mary Jane Krebs in Strong Support of LD “1470 Resolve, Regarding Reimbursement for Providing Inpatient Care to Individuals with Acute Mental Health Care Needs”

Merilee Perkins in Strong Support of LD “1470 Resolve, Regarding Reimbursement for Providing Inpatient Care to Individuals with Acute Mental Health Care Needs”

Dr. Kimberly Perreault in Strong Support of LD “1470 Resolve, Regarding Reimbursement for Providing Inpatient Care to Individuals with Acute Mental Health Care Needs”

Dr. Annie Coates testified in Support of LD 1550 “An Act to End the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products”

Katie Fullam Harris testified in Support of Bills to Increase Rates for Community-Based Behavioral Health Services for LD 582 “An Act To Support the Fidelity and Sustainability of Assertive Community Treatment”

Lyvia Gaewsky testified in Support of LD 1501 “An Act to Protect Oral Health for Children in Maine”

Dr. Matthew Siegel testified in Strong Support of LD 1574 “An Act to Ensure Support for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism with High Behavioral Need”

Sarah Calder in Strong Opposition of LD 867 “An Act To Prohibit Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for 5 Years To Allow for Safety Testing and Investigations into Reproductive Harm”

Dr. Robert McCarley testified in Support of LD 869 “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Review the Progressive Treatment Program and Processes by Which a Person May Be Involuntarily Admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital or Receive Court-ordered Community Treatment”

2022 Testimony

Katie Fullam Harris Testifying on HHS Provisions in LD 1995 “An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and To Change Certain Provision of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023”

Sarah Calder Testifying on EDU Provisions in LD 1995 “An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and To Change Certain Provision of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023”

2021 Testimony

Katie Fullam Harris in Opposition to Sections of LD 42 “The Proposed Supplemental Budget”

Katie Fullam Harris on Behavioral Health Sections of LD 221 “The Governor’s Proposed Biennial Budget”

Katie Fullam Harris on Tobacco Prevention Sections in LD 221 “The Governor’s Proposed Biennial Budget”

Katie Fullam Harris on 340B Program, Tax and Match, Bed Hold Days, and Population Health Payments Sections in LD 221 “The Governor’s Proposed Biennial Budget”

Katie Fullam Harris in opposition to cuts for the Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship Program in LD 221 “The Governor’s Proposed Biennial Budget”

Sarah Calder testified in Support of LD 1095 “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Purchase 4 Nursing Simulators for Use by the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System”

Sarah Calder testified in Support of LD 481 “An Act to Propose a General Fund Bond Issue to Train Workers in High-demand Sectors and Support the State’s 10-year Economic Plan Goal of Increasing Wages by 10 Percent”

Sarah Calder submitted MaineHealth’s Statement of Support for Broadband Expansion for LD 1235 “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Connect Maine with a World-class Internet Infrastructure”

Katie Fullam Harris regarding LD 221 “The Governor’s Proposed Change Package

2022 Testimony

Lisbeth Wierda Neither for Nor Against LD 906 “An Act to Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Drinking Water”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1899 “An Act to Ensure Safe Entry and Access for People Seeking Health Care and Other Constitutional Rights”

Nicholas Piotrowski testified Neither For Nor Against LD 2008, “An Act to Establish a Court Process for Involuntary Substance Use Disorder Treatment” 

2021 Testimony

Chris Wellins in Strong Support for LD 366 “An Act Regarding Emergency Guardianship

Roslyn Gerwin in Opposition to LD 642 “An Act to Ensure that Children Receive Behavioral Health Services”

Timothy Fox in Strong Support of LD 861 “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Contract for Assessments for Involuntary Hospitalizations”

Dr. Robert McCarley in Support of LD 868 “An Act to Provide Consistency Regarding Persons Authorized to Conduct Examinations for Emergency Involuntary Commitment and Post-admission Examinations”

Sarah Calder in Support of LD 1144 “An Act To Amend the Law Regarding Advance Health Care Directives”

Frank Chessa in Support of LD 1419 “An Act To Support Health Care Providers during State Public Health Emergencies”

Dr. Brock Libby testified in Opposition to LD 926 and LD 1401 “An Act to Ban Biological Males from Female Sports”

Dr. Erin Belfort, Toni Eimicke (CPNP), and Brandy Brown (LCSW) testified on behalf of the Gender Clinic at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Strong Opposition to LD 926 “ An Act to Ban Biological Males from Participating in Women’s Sports” and LD 1401 “An Act to Prohibit Biological Males from Participating in School Athletic Programs and Activities Designated for Females at Schools that Receive Federal Funding”

Dr. Colby Wyatt testified in Opposition to LD 1292 “An Act Regarding the Parental Right to Direct the Health Care of Children”

Maribeth Hourihan testified in Opposition to LD 748 “An Act to Remove Coverage Under the MaineCare Program for Abortions Not Covered by Medicaid” and LD 915 “An Act to Conform State Funding to the Federal Hyde Amendment Limiting Funding for Some Abortion Services”

Dr. Kathyrn Sharpless testified in Opposition to LD 825 “An Act to Ensure Quality in Women’s Health Care Access in Maine by Requiring Facilities Providing Abortions to Inform Patients of Options and Alternatives” LD 851 “An Act to Ensure Women are Informed of Abortion Pill Reversal” and LD 1229 “An Act to Require Certain Medical Providers to Administer Ultrasounds and Provide Information to Certain Pregnant Patients”

Sarah Calder testified in Opposition to LD 1225 “An Act to Provide Dignity for Fetal Remains by Requiring Their Interment or Cremation”

Dan Nigrin testified in Opposition to LD 1510 “An Act Concerning Informed Consent of Minors' Authority to Release Health Care Information”