Commission to Protect Maine Hospitals to discuss recommendations, draft final report for the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee
AUGUSTA — Today, Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono, will convene the fourth meeting of the Legislature’s Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the Delivery of Health Care Services in the State. This summer, Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, appointed Sen. Tipping to chair the Commission. It previously met on October 8, October 22 and Nov. 5.
“Throughout the fall, we have been investigating these issues and hearing from experts from across the country. I am grateful to the members and staff for their attendance and attention,” said Sen. Tipping. “With this report, we have an opportunity to implement much-needed oversight and reform for hospitals in Maine, including preventing private equity firms from dissecting our health care infrastructure to the benefit of their shareholders.”
The Commission will meet at 10 a.m. in the Labor Committee Room (Room 202) at the Burton M. Cross Office Building in Augusta. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting in person. It will also be livestreamed online at legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#202.
Sen. Tipping will be available for comment before, after or during breaks in the meeting.
The Commission is tasked with evaluating certificate of need laws, the scope of review to disrupt or terminate health care services, review and oversight of health care transactions and the role of private equity companies or real estate investment trusts taking financial or operational control of a hospital in Maine. It will provide a report to the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee no later than Dec. 10, 2025.
To follow along with the work of the Commission, access committee meeting materials or to subscribe for notifications and updates, go to legislature.maine.gov/commission-to-evaluate-regulatory-review-and-oversight-of-health-care-transactions.
COMMISSION TO PROTECT MAINE HOSPITALS MEETING DETAILS
WHAT: Fourth Commission Meeting
WHO: Sen. Mike Tipping, Senate Chair
WHEN: 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17
WHERE: Labor Committee Room (Room 202), Burton M. Cross Office Building, Augusta
ONLINE: legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#202
Draft Meeting Agenda
10:00 am
Welcome
Commission Chairs Mike Tipping and Michelle Boyer
10:05 am
Commission Discussion of Potential Recommendations
Commission Chairs and Members
12:00 pm
Break
1:00 pm
Commission Discussion of Potential Recommendations (cont.)
Commission Chairs and Members
2:00 pm
Commission Discussion of Potential Additional Meeting (and Next Steps)
2:30 pm
Review Draft Report Outline
3:00 pm
Adjourn
The Commission builds on a proposal that Sen. Tipping brought to the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, seeking to protect Maine’s non-profit hospitals from being bought up and gutted by private equity companies and real estate investment trusts. LD 985 received a unanimous, bipartisan vote in the Committee and the Maine Legislature. As emergency legislation, which took effect immediately on June 22, the new law put a one-year moratorium on these types of sales.
Sen. Mike Tipping is currently serving his second term in the Maine Senate. He is the Senate chair of the Legislature’s Labor Committee. He also serves on the Government Oversight and Taxation Committees. He represents Senate District 8, which includes 26 cities and towns in central and northern Penobscot County.
###
