Today, newly created Commission to Protect Maine Hospitals holds first meeting
AUGUSTA — Today, Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono, announced details for the first 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.
“Although the Legislature is not in session, I am ready to get back to work on this critical issue,” said Sen. Tipping. “On top of the ongoing Anthem-Northern Light dispute and the loss of federal subsidies for health insurance premiums, Mainers cannot afford to lose access to hospitals at the same time. In the coming weeks and months, we will work on policies to protect them from being bought up and scrapped for parts.”
On Wednesday, October 8, Sen. Tipping will convene the first meeting of the Commission 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.
At 12:45 p.m., the Commission will accept public comment on the scope of the Commission’s review and suggested policy changes specifically related to the scope. If members of the public attend in person, they will provide comments first. To participate remotely, register in advance at legislature-maine-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8s8A5NzAT1WctefGmZ2W0w. If members of the public cannot attend in person or participate online, they may submit written comments to Colleen McCarthy Reid at Colleen.McCarthyReid@legislature.maine.gov by 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
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 or to subscribe for notifications and updates, go to legislature.maine.gov/commission-to-evaluate-regulatory-review-and-oversight-of-health-care-transactions. For a copy of the meeting agenda, email Colleen McCarthy Reid.
COMMISSION TO PROTECT MAINE HOSPITALS MEETING DETAILS
WHAT: First Commission Meeting
WHO: Sen. Mike Tipping, Senate Chair
WHEN: 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8
WHERE: Labor Committee Room (Room 202), Burton M. Cross Office Building, Augusta
ONLINE: legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#202
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 for being bought 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.
###