The Greater Portland Addiction Collaborative is seeking a Pay for Success award worth several million dollars to combat the growing opioid epidemic.
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.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
More signs emerge that doctors are prescribing fewer opioids in Maine
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said opioid prescriptions written to its customers over a one-year period ending June 30 had declined 15 percent compared to the same period a year earlier.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Federal officials to review audit critical of DHHS services to developmentally disabled Mainers
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which funds services for the disabled, could require the state to change the way it responds to reports of abuse and other critical incidents.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Federal audit finds Maine failed to investigate deaths of developmentally disabled patients
The review shows the Department of Health and Human Services did not comply with federal requirements to report and monitor incidents involving abuse or deaths of disabled people in the care of community-based providers.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Powerful opioids suspected in rash of overdose deaths in Portland area
Anecdotal evidence of an overdose increase in the last two weeks raises suspicion that heroin is being mixed with drugs like fentanyl or carfentanil.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Portland wasn’t required to report MRSA infections at rec camp
The skin infections shouldn’t cause serious harm if properly treated, public health officials say, and there are no requirements to report such cases either to state or federal health agencies.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Jetport runway work causes late Delta flight to divert to Boston
The main runway is being restriped overnight, an ongoing project that must be squeezed in after later flights and before early ones.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland’s Historic Preservation Board to consider House Island campground proposal
A 21-site project would celebrate Fort Scammell, built in the 1800s to defend Portland Harbor’s shipping channel.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Susan Collins withstood intense pressure, ultimately voted against health care repeal
Maine’s senior senator cast the first Republican ‘no’ vote against the so-called ‘skinny repeal’ of the Affordable Care Act, paving the way for fellow Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John McCain of Arizona to follow suit and sink the effort.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
School, health officials vow to save student health centers after cuts
Some districts may keep the centers open by tapping into additional education funding received under the July 3 state budget agreement.