Joe Lawlor

Press Herald

Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.

Latest

Published
March 7, 2017

House Republicans’ plan for replacing Affordable Care Act troubles Collins, LePage

Maine’s governor and senior senator are part of a chorus of criticism on the potential impact of the proposed health care reforms.
Published
March 6, 2017

Medical conference in Augusta focuses on alternatives to prescribing opioids

More than 500 medical professionals attend a gathering hosted by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Published
February 24, 2017

Maine’s $2 million drug treatment plan for uninsured would help, but more is needed, experts say

‘In proportion to the severity of the problem, it’s lacking by a magnitude of an order of at least 10 times what’s needed,’ one doctor says.
Published
February 3, 2017

Iraqi family in Maine reunited with daughter caught in immigration ban

While her family came to the U.S., Banah Al-Hanfy, 20, was left alone in Iraq when the president’s immigration order prevented her from boarding a plane.
Published
January 25, 2017

Sen. Collins’ plan for replacing Affordable Care Act holds seeds for compromise

One policy analyst says it’s innovative to use Health Savings Accounts to help pay for coverage, but another expert sees serious drawbacks in the Obamacare alternative.
Published
January 23, 2017

A Q&A on the Patient Freedom Act, the proposed ACA substitute

Many aspects of the plan, including typical premiums and deductibles, remain unclear.
Published
January 23, 2017

Sen. Collins unveils details of ACA replacement that gives more power to states

The Maine senator hopes to attract support from both parties with a plan that offers thousands in annual payments to people for their health care.
Published
January 23, 2017

Medical ethics bill targets drug company payments to Maine doctors

The proposal would restrict gifts and other spending that promote prescribing of opioids in a state that is trying to curtail patient use of the painkillers.
Published
January 19, 2017

Maine fishermen hooked on Obamacare, but now benefits are threatened

Enrollment levels are high in Maine communities where lobstermen tend to live, and many have coverage for the first time.
Published
January 17, 2017

Maine’s Sen. Collins co-develops plan to replace Affordable Care Act

It would let states keep the ACA insurance programs they have or try other options, she says, hoping millions would avoid losing health coverage after a repeal of the law.