Online Newsletter — Volume 1, No. 9, July 7, 2006
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Reporter Jeff Tuttle of the Bangor Daily News reported the following in today's BDN: "Blaine House hopeful Pat LaMarche on Thursday called for the creation of a Bangor-area medical school as part of a plan to increase access to health care in the state.

"'This isn't a new idea; it's just a good idea,' LaMarche said at a news conference at Husson College, where she was joined by several supporters dressed in hospital scrubs emblazoned with the candidate's name."

Please go to the BDN website to read the article and vote on whether you think Maine should have medical, dental and pharmacy schools.

Pat held a press conference at Husson College yesterday. Calling upon the recommendations put forth by the 1995 Maine Healthcare Reform Commission, she cited the need for Maine to steward the education of its own healthcare providers.

Highlights from Pat's speech:

• "If we want our kids to stay in Maine, if we want them to have high paying jobs, if we want healthcare extended into our most rural areas, and if we want businesses to locate outside the few business centers we have in Maine, then we need the educational opportunities and the healthcare accessibility that these schools provide."
• "It is my goal that by the time the students entering their freshman year in college this September attend their graduation ceremonies, they will have the option of attending an allopathic medical school, or a dental school, or a pharmacy school right here in Maine."  

On June 7th, Pat LaMarche called the current administration's plan to privatize mental health services for the poor "discriminatory and dangerous." The Baldacci Administration had planned to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to recruit a managed care organization to take over delivery of mental health services to Medicare and Medicaid recipients in Maine. Only out-of-state companies could submit proposals because, under the terms of the RFP, no current provider would be allowed to bid on the contract.

Now, thanks to the tireless efforts of Maine's behavioral healthcare professionals, and a timely assist from Pat LaMarche, the administration has "postponed" its plan to privatize mental healthcare in Maine.  

It doesn't matter what party you belong to now. If you agree with Pat's priorities today, then we need you as part of her team.

Even if you have never participated in a campaign before, give us a call at 221-0263, email us at contact@pat2006.com or visit www.pat2006.com.

You can tell your grandchildren that you helped to make history.