Protecting MDI Hospital: Ensuring Care While Facing Financial Uncertainty – State of Maine Supplemental Budget Passage
At Mount Desert Island Hospital, our commitment to patient care remains unwavering. No matter what happens with the state’s supplemental budget, we will continue to see patients with uninterrupted access to high-quality, patient-centered care. We are not alone. Maine hospitals are committed to caring for their communities; however, the proposed lapse and reductions in MaineCare payments will impact every hospital, rural health clinic, and health care provider in our State.
What is the immediate and long-term Impact? The State of Maine’s budget shortfall means hospitals—including MDI Hospital—are not reimbursed for care already delivered. While we manage the short-term financial strain, prolonged delays will force tough decisions that could impact our ability to maintain critical services in the future. If a unified solution is not reached soon, it could have long-term consequences on our services and potential access issues throughout the State. The Maine Hospital Association is actively working to help find solutions and representing the importance of funding healthcare services in Maine while solutions are formulated for the long-term stability of the MaineCare program.
This matters because MaineCare funding keeps hospitals like ours operational, ensuring we can provide emergency care, primary care, dental services, behavioral health, and other vital specialized services to this community and beyond. Without these payments, rural hospitals face financial uncertainty, risking patient care and hospital stability. The current deficit in the supplemental budget is $118M related to MaineCare (Medicaid) payments, with most of these funds owed to Hospitals across the State.
There is a need for action, and we urge state leaders to pass the supplemental budget and fulfill these obligations. Delaying payment jeopardizes hospitals and the communities that depend on them. We encourage community members to contact their legislators and advocate for immediate action.
MDI Hospital is here for you—we always have been. Now, we need Maine to be here for its hospitals.
Contact information for Senators is here.
Contact information for Representatives is here.
Christina Maguire
President & CEO
Mount Desert Island Hospital
