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
May 22, 2015

Bill aims to reduce vaccine opt-outs for Maine students

A legislative panel votes Friday on a proposal to toughen the standard for parents seeking ‘philosophic’ opt-outs of vaccinations.
Published
May 17, 2015

Maine data show dangerous rates of unvaccinated students; See data by school

An analysis of school-by-school opt-out rates finds regional pockets of resistance, subverting ‘herd immunity’ and increasing the threat of an infectious outbreak.
Published
May 11, 2015

Maine lawmakers hear impassioned arguments on vaccination opt-outs

Rival sides pack hearings to take a stance on bills to limit or stop parents from declining shots because of philosophic objections.
Published
May 11, 2015

Maine bill would help patients buy opiates that deter addiction

Insurance companies could no longer charge extra for those drug versions, creating more chances to curtail the state’s addiction problem.
Published
May 10, 2015

A Maine teen has to ask: Is everyone in this room vaccinated?

The state’s high opt-out rate alarms those who rely on ‘herd immunity’ just to stay healthy, giving heft to a flurry of bills before the Legislature this week.
Published
May 7, 2015

Bill calls for state-based exchange to protect Mainers insured under Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer on whether residents of some states, including Maine, are eligible for subsidies.
Published
May 5, 2015

Some Maine smokers facing high surcharge on health plans

Gov. LePage’s veto of a 20-percent cap survives an attempted override by the House.
Published
April 20, 2015

Bills seek to smooth out ‘benefit cliffs’ in Maine

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to cut disincentives to transitioning off welfare.
Published
April 13, 2015

Maine finding the recipe for healthier school lunches

The ingredients are incentives, ideas and collaboration, say officials with a program that has helped the state perform far above the national average.
Published
April 9, 2015

Maine Med seeks way forward with woman’s kidney transplant

As the hospital works with legal experts on the fundraising ethical issue, the patient learns that surgery is out until she’s healthier.