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
April 15, 2014

Maine Senate fails to override LePage’s veto of MaineCare rides bill

The vote along party lines is 20-15, which falls short of the two-thirds majority necessary for a successful override.
Published
April 4, 2014

Harvard Pilgrim likely to join Maine’s health insurance marketplace

The Massachusetts-based nonprofit plans to be the third ACA option for Mainers in 2015, with sign-ups beginning this fall.
Published
April 3, 2014

Maine study suggests arsenic in drinking water could lower intelligence

Researchers who tested 272 schoolchildren find for the first time that even low levels of exposure may affect IQ, but the results need further confirmation.
Published
April 1, 2014

Local nonprofits bid on MaineCare rides contracts

Six nonprofits want to replace the contractor that has been blamed for missed MaineCare rides.
Published
March 31, 2014

Tests on Mainers set to start in national study of diabetes and Vitamin D

One of the largest such studies ever done in the state will help indicate whether the vitamin can help prevent the more common form of the disease.
Published
March 29, 2014

Maine State Police arrest couple wanted in Massachusetts shooting

Police stop the vehicle on Interstate 295 in Bowdoin.
Published
March 27, 2014

Uninsured given extra time to sign up for Affordable Care Act

Maine residents are signing up at fast pace in the final week.
Published
March 24, 2014

Maine Senate votes in favor of MaineCare rides fixes

The bill would cancel the contract of underperforming company CTS and give local providers a better chance to win contracts. DHHS opposes the plan.
Published
March 22, 2014

Doughnut-croissant pastry selling big in South Portland

A court order forces Little Bigs bakery to rename the pastry, but it doesn’t dampen demand.
Published
March 21, 2014

While out-of-state MaineCare rides broker receives $1.2 million extra, local groups lose money

State officials have still not given a detailed explanation for why the company – criticized for its poor performance – received the extra money.