Northern Light Health invested $271M in Maine communities in 2021

Courtesy / Northern Light Health Northern Light Health invested $270 million in Maine communities last year. Here, personnel from Northern Light Home Care & Hospice provide vaccines at a pop-up vaccination sites in an underserved community in Arundel.

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By Staff

Northern Light Health, Maine's second-largest health care system, said Thursday it provided $271 million in community benefits throughout the state during its last fiscal year, which ran from October 2020 through September 2021.

Investments included addressing substance and opioid use; improving access to food, housing, and transportation; and ensuring equitable access to preventive vaccines for vulnerable residents.

“We are committed to making healthcare work for each individual, and this means ensuring all community members have access to necessary resources,” Doug Michael, Northern Light Health’s associate vice president and chief community health officer, said in a news release. “Through the pursuit of innovative community-based solutions and with the help of our community partners, we are addressing our toughest health challenges and reaching patients where they already are.”

Initiatives included free community classes, health education programs and transportation services.

Northern Light Health hospitals, clinics and other care providers offer a range of free or reduced-cost programs and services to those who are sick, injured or disabled. Community benefits are designed to improve the health of communities and increase access to health care in response to identified community health needs.

The Northern Light Health Community Benefit Report is categorized by nonprofit members. Total community investment by category was as follows: