Malory Shaughnessy, executive director of the Maine Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, says waitlists with other providers underscore the need for more capacity. And to increase capacity, she says, Maine needs to increase its Medicaid reimbursement rates to providers. “In recent years, some of our capacity has been eroded because rates have not maintained a level that can support the service,” she says. When Janet Mills ran for governor, she promised to expand Medicaid to ... Read More ›

HOPE | Stronger Together: Embracing Relationships, Well-being, & Community May 29, 2019, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Augusta Civic CenterSAMHS, CCSM, MAPSRC Scroll down to register ABOUT THE KEYNOTES Seth Blais Seth Blais is living in recovery from substance use disorder. After a decade of struggling with heroin and cocaine addiction, he dedicates most of his time reaching out to peers who share his experience. Through his work with several recovery-focused organizations, he advocates for ... Read More ›

Malory Shaughnessy, executive director of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services of Maine, said Mills’ first two executive orders represent a “complete 180-degree change the state desperately needed. Many of our community-based behavioral health agencies have been creatively pulling together scarce resources and private grants to start programs such as rapid access MAT induction in emergency departments with connections to home and community follow up and treatment, such as is ... Read More ›

Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services Executive Director Malory Shaughnessy reminded the committee that it was the ACA that offered the first protections for people with behavioral health illnesses. “Prior to this point, people with behavioral health illnesses could be discriminated against legally and be barred from having coverage in health plans,” she says. Committee Takes Up Bill To Write ACA Protections Into Maine Law The Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial ... Read More ›

Troy R. Bennett | BDN Lighted paper bags stand as memorials to those lost at a drug overdose victims' vigil in Portland's Monument Square in 2015. By Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff • January 24, 2019 9:00 am Updated: January 24, 2019 10:54 am Good morning from Augusta. Gov. Janet Mills has finished nominating commissioners and is moving on to hire advisers to fulfill key campaign promises — fighting the opioid epidemic that and improving relations with Maine’s Indian tribes. The ... Read More ›

In her first days in office, the state’s first female governor expanded Medicaid and announced plans for an opioid czar. By Erin Schumaker ASSOCIATED PRESS The executive order that Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed Jan. 3 will make 70,000 more Maine residents eligible for Medicaid. On her first full day in office, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) took a promising and decisive step toward tackling the state’s opioid crisis. In a reversal of the prior ... Read More ›

Recovery Center a lifeline for those facing addictionYORK, Maine -- Stan’s story may sound familiar. Injured on the job years ago, the middle-aged man became addicted to pain medication, and so easily transitioned to heroin. He used, his wife used, his son used, “just to feel normal,” he said. David, a young Seacoast resident, has already been in jail on heroin possession charges. “I was in a bad breakup, and I wanted to mask the pain. Heroin filled that void.” A father, he said his ... Read More ›