Sen. Bailey and legislative committee vote to take action to protect maternal health care in rural areas

Posted: August 31, 2026 | Senator Bailey

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, Aug. 27, Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, convened the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee for an interim meeting. Held in the wake of the recent vote by MaineHealth to close the Miles Labor and Delivery Unit at Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, the Committee focused on the challenges and factors that led to this decision.

“During the meeting, we heard lots of concerns about the closure of labor and delivery units and the status of maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas,” said Sen. Bailey. “I am pleased that, after bringing various stakeholders together and listening to hours of public comment, my colleagues and I agreed on some tangible next steps. I am hopeful this will allow us to preserve what we can and continue to lay the groundwork for legislation in 2027.”

The Committee voted to take the following action:

  • Send a letter to MaineHealth, requesting they reconsider or pause their decision to close the Miles Labor and Delivery Unit at Lincoln Hospital and suggesting they have an independent assessment conducted to evaluate the decision to close the unit.
  • Send a letter to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House, requesting permission for an additional interim committee meeting to review policy recommendations and discuss potential legislation and budget priorities for the next legislative session.
  • Send a letter to Gov. Janet T. Mills, Attorney General Aaron Frey and Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes, requesting up to $5 million in emergency funding to support Penobscot Community Health Care.

During the meeting, the Committee heard from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, MaineHealth and Northern Light.

In the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature, Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, sponsored LD 2189, an emergency measure that requires 90-day notice for the closure of labor and delivery units and changes in maternity or newborn care services. It was signed into law and took effect immediately on April 3, 2026.

On Aug. 4, Sen. Bailey co-signed a letter from Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, and Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, urging MaineHealth to delay a final vote on the closure of the Miles Labor and Delivery Unit at MaineHealth’s Lincoln Hospital until the 133rd Legislature convenes in January 2027. On Thursday, Aug. 6, the Board of Trustees voted to close the unit, effective December 18, 2026.

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