Dexter approves Mayo Regional’s merger with Northern Light Health
Dexter Town Council voted unanimously Thursday night to approve the Mayo Regional Hospital merger with Northern Light Health.
Dexter’s vote is the first vote of the 13 communities that make up Hospital Administrative District 4, the quasi-governmental agency with taxing power that owns and operates Mayo Regional Hospital. The remaining 12 communities are expected to have votes in the coming weeks, pending legislation that would instruct them to do so.
Mayo Regional Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital and health system in Dover-Foxcroft. It has five rural health clinics throughout the region, provides emergency medical services for all of Piscataquis County, psychiatry and counseling services and various surgical specialties. It’s the hub for health care and the largest employer in the region.
On Feb. 27 the board that oversees the hospital gave the go-ahead for a potential merger with Northern Light Health. Since then, three public forums have been held on the topic in the past 11 days. The fourth and final public forum is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, in the Milo High School Gym, 48 Penquis Drive in Milo.
Marie Vienneau, president and CEO of Mayo Regional Hospital, issued the following statement: “I am pleased that the Dexter Town Council has taken this essential step forward. The votes of the 13 communities that make up Hospital Administrative District 4 are vitally important as we try and move ahead with ensuring that quality care is available close to home. Having the assurance that this hospital will be around for the long term is crucial for the health and well-being of the people of this region. The services being provided by the talented team of experts at Mayo Regional Hospital has been critical for wellness, and in some cases their work has been life saving. Joining up with Northern Light Health is the best step forward to ensure that this hospital will continue to provide quality care close to home for many years to come.”
Because Mayo Regional Hospital is owned and operated as a Hospital Administrative District, its board is made up of members who are elected by the communities served by the hospital. Hospital Administrative District 4 is the only district left in Maine and is a quasi-governmental agency with taxing power.
The effect of the merger would be to transform Hospital Administrative District 4 into a Maine charitable tax-exempt nonprofit corporation that would have a community-based board but would not have taxing authority. This would relieve the towns in the district from potential liability for the certain indebtedness of the hospital.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments