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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 JA N UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T changes in customs and immigration processes in Portland, restricting where ships arriving from foreign ports can tie up and how the immigration pro- cess is handled. "ere is a collaborative effort to mitigate some of these impacts with bet- ter technology and internet connectivity, but those projects take time and cruise ship itineraries are generally booked two years in advance," she notes. Maine is also seeing a slight soften- ing in the Canada-New England region. For Maine's deep-water ports that accept larger ships, the outlook is specific to each port and how its geography and policies fit into larger itineraries across the region. Maine will have a banner year with small, domestic ship company American Cruise Line; seven of eight ports expect see increased visitation. "Maine's domestic-only ports will all see record or near-record seasons," Flink says. H E A LT H CA R E More turmoil ahead for health care providers and patients B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r I n 2026, more turmoil is coming for health care providers and patients, predicts Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association. "e escalating costs, declin- ing reimbursement from insurance companies, the pending decline in insured patients due to Medicaid cuts and cuts to Obamacare subsidies are a perfect storm for hospitals and their patients," he said. Hospitals and patients are already on the edge, so more financial hits only spell more declines in access to care coming up, he says. "I'm not optimistic in the short term — meaning 2026," he continues. "ere is just too much on the table that is negative. "I'm hopeful that lawmakers will react and undo some of the harm that is coming and I am also hopeful that hospitals will respond and preserve some level of access by restructuring what we do. It will be painful but it is necessary to preserve some level of access to care throughout the state. at is job No. 1." C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » There is just too much on the table that is negative. — Steven Michaud Maine Hospital Association F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F C R U I S E M A I N E Sarah Flink of CruiseMaine predicts Maine's cruise sector will dip slightly as Bar Harbor's cruise ship ordinance plays out, but adds that the details are nuanced. F O C U S Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association, says hospitals and patients are facing a "perfect storm" of negative effects VERRILL-LAW.COM Strength in Growth, Focused on Your Future As Maine's largest law firm, Verrill reflects the strength and resilience of our state's economy. With a growing team and deep experience in regulatory and strategic matters, we provide the insight and counsel businesses need to move forward with confidence.

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