Claxton bill to Convene Task Force on Long-term Acute Care receives committee support

Posted: May 08, 2019 | Senator Claxton

AUGUSTA — Legislation by Sen. Ned Claxton, D-Auburn, LD 439 “Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Health and Human Services To Convene a Task Force To Study the Need for Long-term Acute Care Hospital” received the unanimous support of the Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday.

 

The bill would convene a task force to study the need for long-term acute care beds in Maine. Currently, many patients are transported out of state or end up in the wrong type of care facility due to shortages in long-term acute care beds.

 

“Because they have no good placement options, these patients end up with long stays in hospitals that are better designed to help those who have acute, short-term needs,” said Sen. Claxton.

 

LD 439 would be the first step in determining the need for long-term acute care beds in Maine. The intent of the legislation is to first establish the exact need for these kinds of beds and then to propose how to best meet that need.

 

The bill now faces votes before the Maine Senate and House.

 

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