Sen. Baldacci bill to help address physician shortage receives bipartisan support in committee

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, April 4, the Legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs voted in favor of a bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, with a bipartisan vote of 8-2. LD 129, “Resolve, to Direct the University of Maine System to Study the Feasibility of Establishing a Public Allopathic Medical School in Penobscot County,” would study the feasibility of creating a new medical school through the University of Maine.

“Our state is suffering from a major physician shortage, and with this study, we can take the first steps in addressing this issue and help ensure that Mainers receive the qualified care they need,” said Sen. Baldacci. “I am incredibly grateful for the committees support on this bill, and that they see and appreciate the need Maine has for more qualified physicians.” 

Maine currently has no allopathic medical school. LD 129 would require the University of Maine to study the feasibility of developing an allopathic medical school and report their findings back to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee by Dec. 6, 2023.

LD 129 now faces votes in the Senate and House.