Participate in the Sugarloaf Summit Snowshoe Shuffle

Teams of coworkers, family, or friends are encouraged

Farmington¾

This year’s Sugarloaf Charity Summit kicks off with the Snowshoe Shuffle on Monday, December 30. All proceeds from Charity Summit events benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation and the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center.

According to organizers if you can walk, you can showshoe! The shuffle route is a 1.5 mile gentle route through the beautiful trails at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.

Individuals are welcome and teams of coworkers, family, or friends are encouraged join in on the fun. Registration is $25 per person and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Children under the age of 12 are free. The shuffle starts at 10 a.m.

The Sugarloaf Charity Summit, which includes the Sugarloaf Charity Ball in January, raised more than $186,000 last year.

For more information and to register go to www.sugarloafcharitysummit.org.

Maine Cancer Foundation, established in 1976, improves the health and well-being of Maine people. A grant-based organization, the Foundation supports scientific laboratory and clinical cancer research, professional and public education, and patient support programs throughout Maine.  www.mainecancer.org

Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center provides timely access to state-of-the-art screening, diagnostic, clinical, and care-support services, provided by a multi-disciplinary team of experts. Services are available to all men and women, regardless of their ability to pay in both Farmington and Livermore Falls. www.fchn.org/FMH/services/breast-care

Governor Welcomes Blue Ribbon Commission Report on Unemployment System 

Recommends improvements to system, including need to ensure appropriate weighting of business records in appeals

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is pleased with the final report of The Unemployment Reform Blue Ribbon Commission, which was delivered this week. An Executive Order signed by the Governor in May established the Commission and tasked it with reviewing various complaints and concerns raised by Maine citizens about the consistency and objectivity of the unemployment insurance system.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the commission’s co-chairs, former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court Daniel Wathen and Hon. George M. Jabar, II, Commissioner for Kennebec County and practicing attorney in Waterville, met with the Governor and Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette to review their findings and recommendations.

“I am pleased with the thoroughness and seriousness with which the Blue Ribbon Commission undertook their review of Maine’s Unemployment System,” said Governor LePage. “It confirmed several of my concerns surrounding payments to people who are later found ineligible to receive benefits, problems associated with delayed receipt of benefits, lack of effective communication necessary to standardize decision-making, and inconsistent application of evidence standards relating to business records. These are serious flaws in the system.”

Commission chairs Hon. George M. Jabar, II and Justice Daniel Wathen provided unanimous recommendations identifying ways in which the unemployment system may be fixed. Both reflected on the bipartisan Commission’s review of the system, which proved to be complex and in need of improvements.

“Investigating the unemployment system was a huge undertaking and the Commission worked collaboratively and diligently to provide an accurate analysis in a timely manner. Additionally, the Department of Labor was cooperative and helpful throughout the process,” said Jabar. “We examined the entire system from top to bottom, from initial claims to final appeals, and what we found was eye-opening.”

“All commission members agreed with the findings of this report. We found inconsistencies that hurt both employees and employers,” Wathen said. “However, there is an opportunity to address these issues in a meaningful way that will improve the system to make it more equitable for everyone.”  

Commissioner Paquette also welcomed the Commission’s findings. “This report echoes many of my concerns. The Department of Labor has already begun work on several initiatives recommended in the report,” she noted. “We are currently identifying the best means of implementing several recommendations, including staffing needs, improved communication and consistency issues. In addition, we are exploring possible legislation to clarify misconduct, as several other states have done recently.”

“Employers and employees need to have confidence in the unemployment system,” emphasized Governor LePage. “Delay, inconsistent and reversed decisions, and inefficient systems hurt everyone and hurt our business climate. By improving this system we are making changes that will benefit all Mainers and save money for both taxpayers and employers.”

In addition to the co-chairs, the Commission members included David Walck, franchise owner of several Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants; Shawn Anderson, chief operating officer of Cary Medical Center in Caribou; Christine Hastedt, public policy director for Maine Equal Justice Partners; and Kristin Aiello, managing attorney for the Disability Rights Center of Maine. The Commission’s membership was deliberately balanced to include equal representation of both employer and employee interests.

Attached: The Unemployment Reform Blue Ribbon Commission Report

Welfare fraud is real, and we will keep working to find it

Liberal politicians have been saying for years that there is no fraud in Maine’s welfare system. They say allegations of fraud are just anecdotal. Well folks, the facts are proving them wrong.

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

In just the past couple of weeks, several Mainers have been charged with welfare fraud. A Berwick couple was indicted for falsely reporting their incomes and claiming they were unemployed when they actually had jobs.

A Lewiston couple is now on trial for stealing  thousands of dollars in housing assistance. They claimed they had no assets, but they owned a profitable business and paid cash to buy buildings.

A woman in Lewiston has been charged with fraudulently taking about $10,000 worth of welfare benefits, including food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as TANF, and housing assistance.

These are not anecdotes. These are real cases involving the theft of taxpayers’ money that should be going to Mainers who are truly needy.

It is easy to say there is no fraud when you don’t look for it. Our administration is looking to eliminate fraud. This will allow us to help more of the truly needy. In addition, our welfare reforms have already reduced TANF cases by 41 percent. But we know there is much more to be done.

That is why we will continue to look for fraud, especially with EBT cards. These cards come with generous cash benefits, but too often that cash is not going to feed children or provide the basic necessities for families.

Cash from EBT cards is used to buy illegal drugs, to bail people out of jail, to purchase alcohol and to buy lottery tickets. This is not the purpose of welfare.

Maine’s taxpayers should not be working hard every day to provide financial assistance to criminals or others who are abusing the system.

Welfare should go to our neediest citizens, our elderly and our disabled. It should be available for those who need a hand up during a difficult time, not those trying to game the system.

That’s why our administration will continue to crack down on welfare fraud. If you suspect someone of abusing welfare, please call the fraud hotline: 207-287-2409.

Thank you for listening.

Regina Stefanelli Achieves Certification in Healthcare Compliance

Oversees that services are delivered with integrity and in conformance with regulatory, accreditation and ethical standards

Farmington¾

Rebecca Arsenault, president and CEO of Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) is pleased to announce that the organization’s Compliance Officer Regina Stefanelli, has successfully completed the Compliance Certification Board’s (CCB) Certified in Healthcare Compliance examination, thus earning the “CHC” designation.

A CHC is a professional with knowledge of relevant regulations and expertise in compliance processes sufficient to assist the healthcare industry to understand and address legal obligations, and promote organizational integrity through the operation of effective compliance programs.

The purpose of certification is to promote healthcare compliance through the certification of qualified healthcare compliance professionals by:

• Recognizing those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of the CCB and pass the Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) Examination;
• Encouraging continued personal and professional growth in the practice of healthcare compliance; and
• Providing a national standard of requisite knowledge required for certification; thereby assisting employers, the public and members of the health professions in the assessment of a healthcare compliance professional.

Stefanelli earned her Juris Doctor degree at Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey. Prior to that she was a visiting student at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon earning a certificate in environmental and natural resources law. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Stefanelli joined FMH in November 2011. As compliance officer she oversees that clinical and business services are delivered with integrity and in conformance with regulatory, accreditation and ethical standards. This involves developing standards, coordinating compliance training and education, conducting or arranging internal audits, identifying compliance issues and trends, and investigating and resolving compliance complaints.

Founded by the Health Care Compliance Association in 1998, the Compliance Certification Board exists to develop criteria for the determination of competence in the practice of healthcare compliance at a variety of levels and to recognize individuals meeting these criteria.

New England Governors Sign Historic Energy Statement Committing to Regional Cooperation on Infrastructure 

Initiative can bring more affordable, cleaner, and reliable power to residents and businesses

AUGUSTA – In a historic statement, the six New England Governors today committed their states to an unprecedented level of regional cooperation to develop an energy agenda designed to bring more affordable, cleaner, and reliable power to homes and businesses across the northeast.

The statement, entitled the “New England Governors’ Commitment to Regional Cooperation on Energy Infrastructure,” says, “To ensure a reliable, affordable and diverse energy system, we need investments in additional energy efficiency, renewable generation, natural gas pipelines, and electric transmission….New England ratepayers can benefit if the states collaborate to advance our common goals.”

“The Governors therefore commit,” the statement said, “to continue to work together, in coordination with ISO-New England and through the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE), to advance a regional energy infrastructure initiative that diversifies our energy supply portfolio while ensuring that the benefits and costs of transmission and pipeline investments are shared appropriately among the New England States. 

The statement calls attention to the fact that the region’s electric and natural gas systems have become “increasingly interdependent,” creating a need for cooperative investments in energy efficiency, new and existing renewable generation, natural gas pipelines, and electric transmission.  In addition to bringing greater supplies and lower costs for electricity and natural gas, regional cooperation will also “protect our quality of life and environment,” the Governors said, by resulting in increased economic development, competitiveness and job growth, and improved air quality through a reduction in harmful air emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

The Governors’ statement also noted that, “…we must respect individual state perspectives, particularly those of host states, as well as the natural resources, environment, and economy of the States, and ensure that the citizens and other stakeholders of our region, including the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL), are involved in the process. 

The Governors directed leaders of their energy and environmental agencies to continue working together over the next few months – in cooperation with NESCOE – to develop a multi-state strategy that “meets our common needs and goals.”  

Governors Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut; Paul R. LePage, Maine; Deval L. Patrick, Massachusetts; Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire; Lincoln D. Chafee, Rhode Island; and Peter Shumlin, Vermont, signed the agreement for the Regional Energy Infrastructure Initiative.

Comments from the Governors:                       

“New England’s energy costs are not competitive,” said Governor LePage, Maine.  Our high energy prices drain family budgets and are a significant barrier to attracting business investment, especially in energy-intensive industries.  At the same time, we are geographically positioned to take advantage of competitively priced natural gas and hydropower resources if we collectively invest in key infrastructure.  This energy infrastructure initiative can bring these world-class resources to start powering New England industry and start saving money for families across our states.”

“We have seized on every available opportunity to bring down the cost of electricity, heat, and power for our families and businesses,” said Governor Malloy, Connecticut.  “We have enjoyed some success but energy prices here are still higher here than in other parts of the country because of severe constraints on the flow of electricity and natural gas into our state.   By working closely with New England neighbors who face similar challenges we can thoughtfully plan and develop the network of electric transmission lines and natural gas pipeline needed to meet our goal of providing cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable power for Connecticut. 

“This is an economically and environmentally important collaboration,” said Governor Patrick, Massachusetts. “By expanding opportunities for large-scale hydro, wind and other renewable energy sources, we are putting thousands of our residents to work and creating a healthier region for the next generation.”

“I am pleased to join with our neighboring states to advance this energy infrastructure initiative which will position Rhode Island to take advantage of cleaner and more affordable energy,” said Governor Chafee, Rhode Island.  Through this collaborative effort the New England states will pursue a diversified energy portfolio, with the infrastructure needed to support it that will bring long-term environmental and economic benefits to Rhode Island residents and businesses alike. As part of that strategy, I remain committed to the advancement of clean, affordable hydropower, as well as other renewable resources that can improve electric reliability, stabilize and lower long-term energy costs, and help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Building on the work we started two years ago to coordinate procurement of power in the region, I am pleased that the states today agree to work together on infrastructure improvements to ensure we make New England power more reliable, and more cost competitive,” said Governor Shumlin, Vermont.  “Coordinating electric and gas transmission in the region will put downward pressure on power rates into the future, and ensure any infrastructure built is both needed and cost effective for Vermonters and all New England consumers.”

Susan Davidson Appointed Lead Physical Therapist

Will be based at Rangeley Rehab and Wellness Pavilion

Farmington¾

Susan Davidson, PT, has been appointed lead interim physical therapist at Rangeley Region Physical Rehabilitation, according to Marie Wade, director of Physical Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Rangeley Region Physical Rehabilitation is a program of Franklin Memorial Hospital located at the Rangeley Rehab and Wellness Pavilion on the Dallas Road in Rangeley. A broad range of outpatient physical therapy services is provided to residents and visitors of the Rangeley Lakes region.

Before transferring to the Rangeley facility, Davidson had been employed as a staff physical therapist at Franklin Memorial Hospital since 1998. Her varied workload during that time included primarily outpatient orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, neurological therapy, lymphedema treatment, aquatic therapy, and sports medicine.

Davidson received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy at the University of Vermont and prior to that a Master of Science degree in communications management from Simmons College in Boston.

“We are very excited to have Susan lead our Rangeley team. She’s a very versatile physical therapist and has a wide array of diagnostic and treatment abilities and experiences,” said Wade. “She is truly a great asset to our program and to our community.”

Davidson is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys cross country skiing, hiking, and biking.

For more information or appointments call Rangeley Region Physical Rehabilitation at 864-2105 or visit www.fchn.org/fmh/services/rangeleyrehab.

FMH Remembrance Tree Bulbs Honor Loved Ones

Bulbs can be purchased for $5 to support the Auxiliary

Farmington¾

The Franklin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary once again has a Remembrance Tree at the Hospital entrance, which is lit throughout the holiday season. Bulbs can be purchased “in memory of” or “in honor of” one or more individuals for a nominal fee. A tree on display in the hospital lobby shows the names of the dedications, as well as the donors who made the gift. Proceeds benefit the Franklin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

On December 4, the dedication and lighting ceremony of the Remembrance Tree took place along with caroling and music by Sammie Angel. “The ceremony was an opportunity to remember loved ones who have passed on and to honor those special people in our lives who are still with us,” said Auxiliary President Kamilla Hall.

To order a bulb, send the name of the person a bulb is to be “in memory of” or “in honor of” to: Jean Rand, 725 Orchard Drive, Wilton, Maine 04294. Enclose a check payable to the Franklin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for the total bulbs purchased. Each bulb is $5.

Forms to order bulbs are available in the hospital’s gift shop, located near the main entrance. For additional information, call Jean Rand 645-4823 or Kamilla Hall 778-4996.

Governor LePage calls on Kathleen Sebelius to Take Responsibility for Failure to Help Mainers

Federal government hasn’t sent information needed to make Medicaid eligibility determinations

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, criticizing the federal government for providing misleading and inaccurate information to Mainers seeking MaineCare eligibility.

The Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) is supposed to help Mainers determine whether they qualify for Medicaid or for a subsidy to purchase private health insurance. The federal government promised to send the applicants’ information to Maine so the state could make the final determination about eligibility. The federal government has failed to send this information.

“As we both know, Maine cannot determine whether individuals qualify for Medicaid (MaineCare) unless you provide us with the information you collected, yet failed to send. This delay rests solely with the federal government,” Governor LePage wrote. “You have been sending letters to applicants telling them that the FFM has completed its review and that the final decision rests with the State. This is worse than misleading; it is a disservice to those individuals.”

In late November, Maine DHHS wrote to more than 600 households who applied to the FFM and received communication from the federal government that said they may qualify for Medicaid. The letter sent by Maine DHHS informed these individuals that the state cannot process the application until it receives complete information from the federal government.

The Governor asked Sebelius to communicate with these Mainers to make it clear that the delay is entirely the fault of federal government, not the state. Governor LePage also expressed concern that the delay will prevent Mainers from signing up for insurance by the federally imposed deadline of December 23 so they can get coverage starting January 1.

“Since you have no guidance for when your computer systems will start sending the necessary information to Maine, the administrative burden that will fall on State staff will be overwhelming, especially with the likelihood that the number of applications will continue to grow,” Governor LePage wrote. “I want to be clear that our state will not accept, nor bear the burden of what the federal government has caused in its failed system launch.”

Auburn, Maine – Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice (AHCH) is giving the gift of warmth this holiday season, with the creation of a mitten tree.  Maureen Andrew, a Hospice House nurse, presented the idea of constructing a Christmas tree, made entirely out of mittens.  The idea came from a photo she found online.  Andrew thought the tree would be a fun project for the staff to rally around, would provide an interesting and unique decoration for patients and their family members to enjoy and afterwards they could donate the mittens to local non-profits for children and families in need.  Karen Flynn, Director of Hospice at AHCH said “I am always so impressed with the creativity, initiative and compassion demonstrated by our staff.  They are always looking for a way to help, not only our own patients and their family members, but the entire community.”

On Monday December 2^nd the first official donations were made by three local businesses supporting AHCH, Austin Associates, Ellie Anna Purse Co. and Mama’s Mittens.  Hillary Dow of Austin Associates, a sponsor of AHCH’s Hospice House 5k, said “we are so pleased to be able to participate in the Mitten Tree project. It is a creative way for our staff to give back to our community while impacting not only Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice with the work they do at the Hospice House, but Advocates for Children and Safe Voices as well.  It’s great to see non-profits supporting each other in this way.”  Sarah Legare, owner of Ellie Anna Purse Co., and Cari Beach-Austin, owner of Mama’s Mittens, found a unique way to support the project as well.  Legare is offering 5% off your entire order if you drop off a pair of mittens to donate, and Beach-Austin will take $2 off any pair of Mama’s Mittens purchased to donate to the Mitten Tree. 

Mittens can be donated directly to the Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road in Auburn, through the holidays as well as at Ellie Anna Purse Co. for a 5% discount on your entire order.  After the holidays, mittens will be donated to Advocates for Children and Safe Voices.  For questions please call 207-333-6300.