Maine health

The CDC fact measures age-adjusted firearm deaths across intents. Adding risk-assessment information to Maine’s firearm fatalities and hospitalizations report concerns related monitoring. Assessments, referrals and hospitalizations are not deaths and do not alter the CDC measure. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Maine evidence context: Firearm deaths. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §1425, sub-§3 is enacted to read: 3. Risk assessments. The number of assessments by a medical practitioner performed pursuant to Title 34-B, section 3862-A, the number of individuals assessed who received a referral for mental health treatment and services and any aggregate demographic information about the individuals assessed that can be released without risking individual identification.

The CDC fact measures age-adjusted firearm deaths across intents. Adding risk-assessment information to Maine’s firearm fatalities and hospitalizations report concerns related monitoring. Assessments, referrals and hospitalizations are not deaths and do not alter the CDC measure. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Maine evidence context: Firearm deaths. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §1425, sub-§3 is enacted to read: 3. Risk assessments. The number of assessments by a medical practitioner performed pursuant to Title 34-B, section 3862-A, the number of individuals assessed who received a referral for mental health treatment and services and any aggregate demographic information about the individuals assessed that can be released without risking individual identification.

The fact counts OASDI beneficiaries in current payment. An option for earlier disability-insurance benefits concerns the disability component of OASDI, not SSI, Medicare, all beneficiaries or a demonstrated increase in Maine’s beneficiary count. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Maine evidence context: Social Security beneficiaries. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

2.Election to receive(a)In generalSection 223(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), in the matter following subparagraph (E), by striking (i) and all that follows through , (ii) in and inserting (i) for each month beginning with the first month after the individual’s waiting period (as defined in subsection (c)(2)) in which the individual becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits unless the individual elects to receive insurance benefits during such waiting period in accordance with paragraph (3), (ii) in the case of an individual electing to receive insurance benefits during the individual’s waiting period pursuant to the preceding clause and in;(2)in paragraph (2), by striking and section 215(b)(2)(A)(ii) and inserting , section 215(b)(2)(A)(ii), and paragraph (3) of this subsection,; and(3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(3)(A)An individual who has not attained early retirement age (as defined in section 216(l)(2)) may elect to receive disability insurance benefits during the individual’s waiting period pursuant to paragraph (1) if such individual or their appointed representative makes such election in writing (which may include selecting an option on a benefit application form) during—(i)in the case of an individual who has applied for but not yet received a decision on their application for such disability insurance benefits before the date on which this paragraph takes effect—(I)the 45-day period following such date, or(II)the 10-day period (if such period ends later than the end of the 45-day period) following the date on which such individual receives a decision on such application which is favorable to such individual, (ii)in the case of an individual applying for disability insurance benefits on or after the date on which this paragraph takes effect—(I)the date on which such individual files an application for disability insurance benefit, or during the 10-day period following such date,(II)the date on which such individual requests reconsideration of the initial determination, or during the 10-day period following such date, or(III)the date on which such individual requests a hearing by an administrative law judge, or during the 10-day period following such date, (iii)in the case of an individual whose interest the Commissioner of Social Security determines would be served by making payment of the individual’s benefit to a representative payee (within the meaning of section 205(j)), such individual’s election may be revoked or confirmed by such representative payee during the 10-day period beginning on the date on which such representative payee is selected, and(iv)in the case of an individual who elects to receive disability insurance benefits during such individual’s waiting period pursuant to paragraph (1), the individual may revoke such election during the periods described in this subparagraph, except that in no event shall such elections or revocations occur in the first month of an established period of eligibility.(B)In the case of an individual electing to receive a disability insurance benefit during the individual’s waiting period pursuant to paragraph (1), such individual's disability insurance benefit for any month during or after such waiting period shall—(i)be equal to the product of—(I)the disability insurance benefit amount determined under paragraph (2) (as determined before application of this paragraph), multiplied by(II)the percentage determined under subparagraph (C) for the month during which such individual first becomes entitled to such disability insurance benefit,(ii)continue unchanged for the entire period of eligibility for such disability insurance benefit, and without the effect of recalculations described under subparagraph (C), and(iii)if applicable, be paid as part of a claim of entitlement to past-due benefits under this title and included in the total dollar amount of such past-due benefits.(C)The percentage determined under this subparagraph shall be—(i)for any month in the 36-month period beginning with the first month that begins after the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 94.25 percent, and(ii)for any subsequent month, the percentage most recently certified by the Commissioner under paragraph (D)(ii).(D)(i)Not later than the end of the 36-month period described under subparagraph (C)(i), and not later than the end of every 5-year period thereafter, the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration shall calculate a percentage such that the fiscal impact over a 75-year period upon the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund if all individuals who applied pursuant to paragraph (1) to receive disability insurance benefits made an election to receive benefits during their waiting periods is equal to the fiscal impact over such period upon such Trust Fund that would have been made if all individuals who applied had not made such election.(ii)Not later than the end of the 36-month period described under subparagraph (C)(i), and not later than the end of every 5-year period thereafter, the Commissioner—(I)if the percentage calculated by the Chief Actuary in accordance with clause (i) is greater than or equal to 91 percent, shall certify to the Managing Trustee such percentage, or(II)if such percentage is less than 91 percent, may elect not to certify such percentage to the Managing Trustee.(iii)Not later than 2 years after the Commissioner elects not to certify any percentage calculated by the Chief Actuary, the Chief Actuary shall prepare and deliver a report to Congress, including detailed recommendations for administrative or legislative actions to permit individuals eligible for disability insurance benefits to receive disability insurance benefits during the disability insurance benefit waiting period such that the fiscal impact over a 75-year period upon the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund is actuarially neutral.(E)No election made or not made by an individual pursuant to this paragraph shall be construed to have any effect on any benefits payable to any other individual on the basis of such individual’s wages and self-employment income.(F)The Commissioner shall make available to the general public by posting on a website information relating to electing to receive disability insurance benefits during the waiting period, including a calculator which an individual may use to determine the effect of electing to receive disability insurance benefits during the waiting period on the individual’s disability insurance benefit.(G)Each application for entitlement to disability insurance benefits that may subject the individual to the waiting period pursuant to paragraph (1) shall allow for new elections or revocations under this paragraph. .(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to applications for disability insurance benefits that are made or pending on or after the first day of the first month that begins after the date which is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.(c)Update to Social Security disability formsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall update the application forms for applying for disability insurance benefits to include an option for applicants to elect to receive disability insurance benefits during their waiting period.

The fact measures the uninsured share of residents under 65. Enrollment assistance for eligible veterans concerns VA health coverage for a subset of that population; pre-registration alone is not enrollment or proof of fewer uninsured residents. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Maine evidence context: People under 65 without health insurance. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

2.Pre-transition health care registration of members of the Armed Forces to streamline receipt of health care from Department of Veterans Affairs(a)Health care pre-Registration(1)In generalSubchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1705A the following new section:1705B.Management of health care: registration in pre-transition system and facilitation of enrollment(a)Pre-Transition system(1)In generalNot later than 180 days before the anticipated separation from the Armed Forces of a member of the Armed Forces, the Secretary shall automatically register such member in the pre-transition health care registration system.(2)RegistrationRegistration of a member of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under paragraph (1) shall consist of the entry of relevant information of such member into such system so as to facilitate and permit, at a future date, a final determination with respect to the enrollment of such member in the patient enrollment system if such member elects to enroll in the patient enrollment system and is eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system.(b)Facilitation of enrollment in patient enrollment system(1)In generalNot later than 30 days after separation of a covered individual from the Armed Forces, or as soon as feasibly possible following such separation, the Secretary shall engage with such individual—(A)to assist and facilitate the completion of the process for enrollment of such individual in the patient enrollment system, to include the appropriate electronic or paper forms; and(B)to schedule an initial primary care or other health appointment for such individual under the laws administered by the Secretary if the individual is interested in such an appointment.(2)Communication effortsCommunication to a covered individual under paragraph (1) shall be conducted through a combination of effective mechanisms to include by electronic means through email and text message, paper mail, and by phone.(3)Covered individual definedIn this subsection, the term covered individual means an individual who—(A)is eligible for or expected to be eligible for enrollment in the patient enrollment system; and(B)is not yet enrolled in such system.

Governor Janet Mills issued Executive Order 4 on November 9, 2023 to establish a seven-member independent commission examining the October 25 Lewiston shooting, preceding circumstances and the police response. The inquiry expressly includes mental-health history and prior contacts with authorities. It does not expand health coverage, mandate treatment for a particular person or establish clinical responsibility; later findings require their own evidence. The inquiry covers the perpetrator’s mental-health history, contacts with state, federal and military authorities, access to firearms, the initial police response and subsequent manhunt. The commission determines the scope of its fact-finding; this order does not change firearm-sale rules or impose a new criminal penalty. The Attorney General’s Office is requested to provide funding needed for staff or consultants; contracts must make them answer to the commission. The chair and members are uncompensated. The order specifies no dollar appropriation or actual expenditure. The chair controls meetings, agendas and scheduling; subcommittees are allowed. Records, proceedings and deliberations are excluded from the cited Freedom of Access Act requirements. Public accessibility is qualified by practicality and protection of fact-finding. A public report is required, with thoroughness balanced against timely answers; no fixed report deadline is stated. Historical issuance and event context. A commission’s recommendations do not enact a law, establish an entitlement or prove spending, report adoption or measured outcomes. Later reports, amendments, legal authorities and actual implementation need separate review. The chart does not isolate a causal effect on Maine readings.

Retained Maine evidence context: crime, victimization, policing and criminal justice · reviewed Maine policy context · health coverage, healthcare costs, access to care and public health · reviewed Maine policy context · budgets, government spending, deficits and public debt · reviewed Maine policy context. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Robert Card’s mental health history

The fact counts induced abortions occurring in Maine, including care for nonresidents. Protections for reproductive health services concern access to lawful abortion among other services, without demonstrating a change in the number of abortions. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Maine evidence context: Induced abortions reported in-state. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, pursuant to the authority granted by Me. Const. Art. V, Pt. First, Secs. 1 and 12, do hereby Order and direct the following: I. No Assistance from Executive Agencies. Except as required by the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, no executive agency and no employee, appointee, officer, or other person acting on behalf of any executive agency may provide any information or expend or use time, money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in furtherance of any investigation or proceeding initiated in or by another state that seeks to impose civil or criminal liability or professional sanction upon a person or entity for: The provision, securing, or receiving of, or any inquiry concerning reproductive health care services that are legal in this State; or Any assistance given to any person or entity that relates to the provision, securing, receiving of, or any inquiry concerning reproductive health care services that are legal in this State. This restriction shall not apply to any investigation or proceeding involving conduct that would be subject to civil or criminal liability or professional sanction under the laws of Maine if committed in this State. Notwithstanding the general prohibition of this section, agencies and individuals acting on their behalf may provide information or assistance in connection with such an investigation or proceeding in response to the written request of a person who is the subject of such an investigation or proceeding. II. Facilitating Access to Reproductive Health Care Services. Members of the Cabinet shall: Conduct a review of laws and regulations their Departments are responsible for administering to identify barriers to reproductive health services; Exercise discretionary authority under the law to remove or minimize such barriers, including through the development of new policies or guidance; Ensure that accurate information on access to reproductive health services is widely available to the public; Communicate with Maine health care professionals about Maine policy and how other states' policies may affect their work; Consider the need for legislation or other measures to remove or minimize barriers to reproductive health services that Maine law may currently present; Take such other lawful actions as may be necessary and appropriate to promote the purposes of this Order. III. Interstate Extradition. I intend to exercise my discretion as Governor within the law to decline requests for the arrest or surrender of any person charged with a criminal violation of a law of another state where the violation alleged involves the provision of, assistance with, securing of, or receipt of reproductive health services, unless the acts forming the basis of the prosecution of the crime charged would also constitute a criminal offense under Maine law. IV. Definitions. For the purposes of this order, the term "reproductive health care services" includes all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including, but not limited to, services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or the termination of a pregnancy.