TAMC among hospitals owed money by state
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Hospitals across Maine — owed about $400 million by MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income and disabled residents — are hoping the new year will bring good news regarding back payment of funds owed them. Among those owed money by the state is The Aroostook Medical Center.
“Maine owes TAMC, as of the end of September, $8.8 million, $2 million of which was for the last fiscal year ending in September,” said Joy Barresi-Saucier, vice president of organizational advancement at TAMC.
Barresi-Saucier said the amount dates back several years.
“The $8.8 million is from 2004 forward. Between 2004-07, TAMC received interim payments. From 2008-10, the hospital has yet to receive any settlement for those years,” Barresi-Saucier said.
To bring attention to the state’s debt to hospitals, Republicans gathered Oct. 14 at health care facilities across the state, including near TAMC in Presque Isle, to rally for state government to find a way to pay the funds owed. Barresi-Saucier said hospital officials were not aware of the rally and that the event was not a hospital-authorized activity.
