Maine Hospitals Need Teamwork, Not Slower Payouts

The Bangor Daily News board has backed a bill that would slow how fast commercial insurers pay Maine hospitals. The trustees of St. Joseph Healthcare, who also run the hospital, say this plan could hurt an already weak system. Hospitals in Maine barely stay afloat. The state is 46th out of every U. S. state for profit margins, and many run at a loss. Their buildings are old too – Maine also ranks 46th for how aged its health facilities are, meaning repairs are overdue now.While the cost of care is high across the country, hospitals aren’t the main culprit. They can’t set wages in a tight job market or fix drug prices, and they don’t decide who gets treated. By law they must care for everyone, including many uninsured or low‑paying government patients. Some trustees own local businesses and know how expensive commercial insurance is for them. They want cheaper costs but also want open talks about fixing the problem. True fixes need everyone to share the load. Big drivers of health costs are national, so federal help is needed. At home, progress will come when hospitals, doctors, insurers, employers, public health leaders and lawmakers work together. The goal should be to make Maine’s health system stronger, not weaker.