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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 S E P T E M B E R 1 8 , 2 0 1 7 F O C U S H E A L T H C A R E improvement initiatives for Maine's FQHCs. e number of FQHC sites has slowly increased over the last few years, in part due to investments made through the ACA. But delays in federal funding are expected to threaten the FQHC system. Shargo has been watching Congress's progress on its appropriations bill, which needs to pass by Sept. to avoid a government shutdown. Without that funding, she says, at least of Maine's health center sites could close down, and the FQHC system as a whole could su er a decrease in funding, with layo s of clinicians and other personnel, loss of access for more than , patients across the state, and further impacts like loss of individual services for the , patients that go to Maine's FQHCs. "I don't think it's an exaggera- tion to say it would be devastating" to whole communities, says Shargo. "If a health center's funding is cut, how is it going to be able to recruit provid- ers to its area, even if the cuts are short-term? Even though we've been encouraging many health centers, and they do this by nature, to partner with community groups and educa- tional institutions to come up to with creative ways to recruit and retain providers, the reality is, it's di cult to get doctors to come to rural areas. I would imagine this cut would only exacerbate that." Employees ask about health services Asked whether these circumstances impact the ability of employers in general to recruit and retain employ- ees, the consensus in the economic development and business communi- ties is — absolutely. Shawn Yardley, CEO of Community Concepts in Lewiston, grew up in Washington County and has watched the Calais Regional Hospital debate with interest. "You've got a rural hospital where the next nearest hospital is miles away, in Machias," he says. "When you've got a community that no lon- ger has the ability to deliver babies, what does that say to people, who are considering moving there, about the health of that community? I think it will have a chilling e ect on the abil- ity to market that region, particularly to families of childbearing age. As the state gets older and older, I think that's something we have to be very aware of as we do our planning and hoping for Maine." Lou Esposito, vice president at First National Bank in Calais and a Calais Regional nance commit- tee member, agrees. By email, he said health care joins education as primary factors in the decision of employers or employees to relocate. " ink how critical health care is to a small, isolated town with typically 'risky' jobs such as timber or sh- ing, like we have in Maine," Esposito wrote. "A guy gets hurt in the woods with a chainsaw, he can't wait a couple hours for treatment. In Calais, the nearest tertiary hospital is Bangor, two hours away; in winter, it could be unreachable. A treatable heart attack or stroke suddenly becomes a fatality ... What new business would want to be part of all that?" At Woodland Pulp LLC in Baileyville — the region's largest employer with to people, plus A NEW LOCATION FOR YOUR MAINE EVENT. Meet-up in venues with panoramic Atlantic views. Ignite ideas by the fire pit and let innovation set sail. Cliff House offers over 25,000 sq.ft. of flexible event space, a full service spa and innovative regionally focused dining. Confirm a meeting or event for stays through April 30, 2018 and receive the following incentives: · Rates starting at $159. · Complimentary arrival reception or breakfast. · 10% off of event menus. · 1/35 complimentary guest rooms. · Complimentary meeting room. · 10% off AV equipment. 207 361-6200 · cliffhousemaine.com · 591 Shore Road · Cape Neddick, Maine *Minimum 20 overnight guest rooms SWITCH FOR Free! 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C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Challenges in rural Maine R ural Mainers tend to be less healthy than their urban coun- terparts, according to a report com- piled by the Maine Health Access Foundation and the University of Southern Maine ¡ More than one in ve residents of Piscataquis, Washington, and Aroostook counties are living with a disability, the highest percentages in the state. ¡ Maine's rural residents are more likely to report multiple chronic conditions. ¡ Maine's rural residents are more likely to report that they are in fair or poor health. ¡ Diabetes prevalence is higher in rural areas of Maine. ¡ Maine's rural residents are less likely to report that they are receiving treatment for mental health despite reporting rates of depression comparable to their urban counterparts. ¡ Maine's rural residents have higher rates of hospitalizations and emergency room visits for ambulatory sensitive conditions than urban residents. S O U R C E : "A Statewide View of Rural Health," Maine Health Access Foundation and the University of Southern Maine

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