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As a board member of Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) and a mother whose children depend on its services, I am deeply worried about stalled federal funding that could force us to furlough a large part of our dedicated workforce. While we are doing everything possible to limit the impact on patients, the reality is that PCHC is a federally qualified health center (FQHC), and we rely on federal funding to help provide care to everyone — no matter their ability to pay. Thousands of Mainers count on us for primary care, mental health support and substance use treatment. Without this funding, our entire community will feel the strain.
At the same time, Maine’s Legislature is considering a bill, An Act to Protect Health Care for Rural and Underserved Communities, that could strengthen drug discount programs like 340B. This program is critical for FQHCs such as PCHC because it helps lower prescription drug costs for patients and allows us to reinvest savings into expanding services. It also reduces our reliance on federal funding by providing another source of financial stability, helping us continue delivering care even in times of uncertainty. Protecting and strengthening 340B is essential to ensuring that those who need care the most can continue to access it.
Anyone who has sought out specialty services, searched for a primary care physician or waited hours in an emergency room with a sick baby knows that access to health care is already a challenge. Without proper funding, these challenges will only worsen. Lawmakers at both the state and federal levels must put patients first. Many of the people we serve are already facing economic hardship and health challenges. They cannot afford delays, political gridlock or funding cuts. I urge our elected officials to remember the real lives at stake and protect the resources that keep Maine’s health care system strong.
Ensuring access to basic health care isn’t about politics — it’s about doing what’s right.
Angela Marcolini
Hudson