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.

Latest

Published
June 22, 2017

Senate Republicans’ health care bill includes major Medicaid cuts

The replacement for the Affordable Care Act could have a severe impact in Maine, where Medicaid insures nearly 20 percent of the population.
Published
June 20, 2017

Legislature passes bill to rein in drug company perks for doctors

The measure, intended to prevent conflicts of interest when doctors prescribe drugs, awaits the signature of Gov. Paul LePage.
Published
June 16, 2017

Sen. Susan Collins criticizes secretive process of Senate health care replacement bill

Maine’s senior senator says she won’t vote for the bill being drafted by her Republican colleagues if it hasn’t been analyzed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Published
June 16, 2017

University of New England gets $10.7 million to research alternatives to opioids

The federal grant will more than double funds for biomedical research already underway into treatments that aren’t addictive.
Published
June 15, 2017

MaineHealth cancer network gets $10 million grant from Harold Alfond Foundation

The five-year grant will speed up delivery of services, including access to clinical trials and locating treatment close to patients.
Published
June 12, 2017

Maine legislators set aside bill to end twice-a-year clock changes

The proposal to move Maine into the same zone as the Canadian Maritimes was tied to the approval of similar legislation in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Published
June 11, 2017

Creator adds, subtracts as Portland street puppets march on

Thousands of people pour into downtown Portland each June for the food, music and fun event, including the street walk of carnival-inspired characters provided by Shoestring Theater.
Published
June 10, 2017

Mercy Hospital expansion project won’t start before 2021

The hospital denies that a downgrade of its credit rating affected its plans for an $80 million to $100 million expansion at its Fore River complex.
Published
June 8, 2017

U.S. demands return of $51 million in federal funds that Maine spent at Riverview

The state was warned that it was improper to use the money after the psychiatric facility was decertified in 2013, an official says, as the loss of funds sparks finger-pointing in Augusta.
Published
June 6, 2017

Sen. Collins says Indiana’s plan to expand Medicaid could be a model for Maine

The Republican senator, who may run for governor in 2018, says she could support an expansion that allows for managed care plans and contributions by enrollees.