Jeanne Lambrew

Sara Gagné-Holmes has served as deputy commissioner since 2019 and has a long record in health policy.

Lambrew’s long career in health care policy includes helping to draft, implement and defend the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama.

Tens of thousands of Maine people covered by MaineCare are no longer eligible and will be seeking other health coverage. This represents the largest transition in health coverage since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Maine is among the four remaining states with some type of vaccine requirement. 

Health care organizations are slated to receive pandemic relief funds from the state following a previous round of $25 million to 211 organizations last August.

“Shah’s leadership through the worst pandemic in a century propelled Maine to top-tier performance for COVID response among the states,” said MaineHealth CEO Andy Mueller.

The funds will offer more opportunities for doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals in rural communities and encourage aspiring health care workers to launch careers Downeast and in northern and western Maine, where health care providers are in great demand.

The five-year grant will support medical personnel in critical areas such as infectious disease, maternal and child health, and chronic disease.