Senator Haskell to Serve on Commission To Study Difficult-to-place Patients

AUGUSTA – Democratic Senator Anne Haskell of Portland has been appointed to serve on the Commission To Study Difficult-to-place Patients, which has been tasked with identifying solutions for patients with complex medical conditions who are in hospitals awaiting placement.

The appointment was made by the President of the Senate. Senator Haskell will serve as a representative from the Maine Senate.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve on this commission,” said Senator Haskell. “While there is no easy way to address either the challenges that patients with complex medical needs face, or the many obstacles that families must navigate, we must work to develop a comprehensive plan for how to manage this pressing issue.”

During the first session, the 127th Legislature passed a resolve to establish this Commission in order to study certain issues related to difficult-to-place patients with complex medical conditions and the feasibility of making policy changes to the long-term care system for those patients.

The commission is comprised of 13 members, including 5 Legislators; the Commissioner of Health and Human Services; the director of the long-term care ombudsman program; representatives of organizations representing people with disabilities, people with mental illness, the promotion of independent living for individuals with disabilities, long-term care facilities and hospitals; and a patient or family member of a patient with complex medical needs.

“There is a real and pressing need in Maine to address the needs of these individuals and to find them appropriate nonhospital care facilities,” added Senator Haskell. “I am hopeful that by bringing together key players from across Maine’s healthcare landscape we can find a reasonable solution to the problem.”

The Commission must report its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by December 2, 2015.

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