SENATE UNANIMOUSLY BACKS FINAL PAYMENT TO MAINE’S HOSPITALS

Measure is Legislature’s second attempt to repay hospitals

AUGUSTA — The Senate voted unanimously under the hammer to approve a measure that makes the state’s final payment on Maine’s hospital debt and renegotiates the state’s liquor contract.

“We cannot use political reasons to dodge paying our hospitals,”said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond. “We are all in agreement that we will make our final payment to the hospitals, which is exactly what today’s vote will do.”

This bill makes the final payment to Maine hospitals triggering a federal match totalling $485 million in state and federal dollars. By paying the hospitals prior to October 1, 2013, the state will save $5 million.

Over the last decade, Maine hospitals have been paid $3.7 billion in combined state and federal dollars to repay past debt and to maintain services.

Goodall added, “The time to pay back the hospitals is now. This is the Legislature’s second attempt and we hope, this time, the Governor will join us in getting this done.”

The bill is the second measure passed this session to make a final payment to Maine’s hospitals. Governor Paul LePage vetoed the Legislature’s first hospital repayment bill, LD 1546, last month.

The bill, LD 1555, “An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Hospitals and To Provide for a New Spirits Contract,” faces further votes in the House and the Senate.

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