By Paul Mills
As someone who has spent a career protecting the most vulnerable in our community, from the elderly at local churches to families who depend on us to keep their loved ones safe, I know firsthand how much people in Maine are already struggling.
Every day I see folks living on fixed incomes, seniors who worry about whether they can afford groceries and prescriptions, and working families just trying to make ends meet. Inflation over the past four years has made it harder to put food on the table, heat our homes, and keep up with rising rents and mortgages. The last thing Mainers can afford right now is higher health care bills.
That is why the proposal by Northern Light Health to raise rates by $218 million over the next three years concerns me. The system is already carrying more than $600 million in debt and losing around $100 million a year. To me, this feels less like responsible management and more like a bailout that would come directly from the pockets of Maine families.
But here is the problem. Nobody is bailing out seniors on fixed incomes, small business owners trying to keep their doors open, or families choosing between paying for groceries and filling prescriptions. We are all expected to tighten our belts, make do with less, and live within our means. Northern Light Health should be held to the same standard.
It’s obvious these hikes will hurt our community. During my work week, I get the pleasure of seeing people at church enjoying the fellowship that comes with worship. But that also means I see dozens of people each week who are barely getting by, and I know the story is the same across the entire state. People are scratching and clawing to survive, and a $218 million cost increase for Northern Light’s patients will make it even harder for everyone.
Just like any family man, I’ve had to make tough choices, including cutting costs, but I take responsibility when times are hard. That is what Maine families do every day, and it is what our largest hospital system should be doing too. Instead, Northern Light Health’s executives are making millions of dollars even while the system asks struggling families to pay more. That does not sit right with me and it shouldn’t sit right with Mainers.
This is not about denying fair compensation to doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to care for us. It is about fairness and accountability. Before asking Maine families to shoulder hundreds of millions more, Northern Light Health should show it can manage its resources wisely, reduce its debt, and put patients first. It’s time for Northern Light Health to stop playing games with patients’ health and put excellent care and Maine families first.
Our communities are built on accountability and responsibility. We should expect the same from the institutions we trust with our health.
Paul Mills is a security consultant who resides in Houlton, Maine.
