Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
You can download high-quality photos and b-roll of the visit HERE
PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today toured Maine Medical Center to witness the work of its team first-hand, see the impacts of federal funding on Maine’s healthcare system in-person, and thank healthcare workers for all their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his visit, Senator King met with senior leaders and healthcare providers to hear the latest developments in how Maine Medical Center has weathered the pandemic and toured the facility’s emergency department, where he heard about the challenges that the hospital’s care team has faced in caring for patients during a pandemic that has exacerbated the state’s behavioral health crisis. The tour came shortly after the one-year anniversary of last March’s American Rescue Plan, which helped stabilize the nation’s health and economic recovery from the pandemic; the legislation included $43.4 million in rural provider relief funds for MaineHealth – the health system that includes Maine Medical Center – to support their efforts to deliver needed healthcare throughout the pandemic. In total, the historic aid package is projected to invest $4.6 billion in the State of Maine.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine Medical Center and the entire MaineHealth network has done extraordinary work to keep our state safe and healthy. This work has not been easy, and many of Maine’s healthcare workers have put their own health on the line to save others,” said Senator King. “Today, I got to see first-hand the efforts of these healthcare heroes at Maine Medical Center and how the MaineHealth system has utilized $40 million in American Rescue Plan funding to deliver high-quality care for Maine people. In the midst of the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan made critical investments in America’s health, supported working families, and improved broadband and connectivity for generations to come. I truly believe that years from now we will look back on this historic legislative package as one of the most significant Congressional acts of the 21st century.”
“The federal waivers and financial support have been key in our ability to respond to the pandemic’s challenges” said MaineHealth CEO Andy Mueller, M.D. “The waivers provided us with needed flexibility and the funds supported vaccines and testing for our population as well as the delivery of care, allowing our local health systems to respond to the needs of our communities during this unprecedented time. We are grateful to the Senator for his leadership and support as we continue towards meeting our vision of working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.”
“Today, Senator King was able to see first-hand the tremendous work that our care team has been doing during the most challenging of circumstances,” said Maine Medical Center President Jeff Sanders. “We appreciate his support of much needed funds that have allowed our team to continue to provide access to care despite a chronic workforce shortage, and his understanding that more needs to be done to address the growing behavioral health challenge in our community.”
Senator King worked to negotiate and pass both the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. His vote was crucial to the 50-49 passage of the American Rescue Plan which has given Maine families financial certainty, health care organizations the resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and help local economies recover. It included $4.6 billion for the state, including more than $128 million to expand Maine broadband, nearly $1.5 billion in aid to Maine’s state, county, and local governments, and over $56 million in assistance for Maine’s small business community. You can find a full overview of the American Rescue Plan’s impact on the State of Maine HERE.