Maine’s rate of pertussis is now eight times the national average, and the state’s low vaccination rate is heightening weaknesses in the vaccine.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
Mumps case reported at York High School
The Maine Center for Disease Control said other students may have been exposed at the high school and at a basketball game at Massabesic High School.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Patients ask Legislature to restrict insurers’ control over medications
But an insurance industry representative argues that a bill to regulate ‘step therapy’ would favor ‘costlier, but no more therapeutically effective, brand name drugs.’
Posted inMaine, Politics
Hundreds pack hearing on bill to end most exemptions for kids’ vaccinations
The measure would eliminate nonmedical exemptions to vaccinations for measles and other infectious diseases that are required before children enter school.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Senate Democrats roll out plan to give Mainers relief from high prescription prices
Party leaders will submit a handful of bills, including one to set up a state commission with oversight authority on drug pricing and another to allow bulk importation from Canada.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
Vulnerable Mainers pin hopes on bill to tighten vaccination standards
Banning all non-medical exemptions to vaccinations for measles, pertussis and other infectious diseases would improve protection for Mainers – especially those with compromised immune systems.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Collins opposing Trump judicial nominee who argued against Affordable Care Act
The Maine Republican says she couldn’t support the nomination of Chad Readler to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals because he chose not to defend the ACA in a court case.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Mills administration aims to bring Maine CDC back to full strength
DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew says the LePage administration let 111 jobs in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention – about 25 percent of its workforce – remain vacant.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Medicare hits 4 Maine hospitals with penalties for quality of care
In addition, 4 Maine hospitals were penalized by the federal agency for having too many readmissions.
Posted inMaine, News
‘The Soupman’ comes to Maine to help the homeless and fight the opioid crisis
Peter Kelleher lost his son to an overdose in Bangor in 2016 and now dedicates his life to providing critical supplies to homeless people.