Rick Batt on Healthcare Issues

  • A Letter Regarding LD 2290Richard Batt, Franklin Community Health Network, 4/2/08. I am very pleased to report that the proposed cut of MaineCare payments for services by hospital-employed doctors will not occur. In lieu of the cut, the existing hospital tax and match program will be rebased statewide from fiscal year 2004 to fiscal year 2006 as a result of passage of bill Mills LD 2290. This will save Franklin Memorial Hospital about $800,000 annually. It is unfortunate the tax and match program will be adjusted upward by about $4 M statewide, but this is a much less damaging alternative than the proposed $20 M annual cut of hospital-based physician payments.
  • NorthStar’s Formation Can Inform the MSAD 58 and MSAD 9 School Reorganization Planning ProcessRichard Batt, President, Franklin Community Health Network, The Daily Bulldog, 2/4/08. Thirteen years ago, five separate emergency medical service programs served this region. Three years ago, Franklin Memorial Hospital led an initiative to merge these services into one regional EMS, now known as NorthStar. While in many ways very different, the regional merger of these five local ambulance services provides many useful lessons for current school consolidation efforts by local school systems.
  • How to Find a Physician who Matches Your NeedsRichard Batt, President, Franklin Community Health Network, Daily Bulldog, 1/15/08. Everyone should have a primary care doctor. It’s best to find a doctor that you prefer while you’re healthy instead of waiting until you are sick or injured when you have to get one in a rush. Here is information about how to find a primary care doctor who matches your needs.
  • How to find reliable online sources of health informationRichard Batt, President, Franklin Community Health Network, The Daily Bulldog, 12/27/07. One of the best ways you can improve your own health is to be well informed. This applies to both healthy people and those battling disease and pain.
  • Why are so many doctors today employed by hospitals?Richard Batt, President, Franklin Community Health Network, The Daily Bulldog, 12/5/07. Thirteen years ago, when I came to Farmington, Franklin Memorial Hospital employed three doctors. The majority of doctors in the region had independent practices. Today, we employ 68 providers, and there are less than 10 doctors in the region in private practice.
  • Do you need help paying for healthcare? It’s available.Richard Batt, President, Franklin Community Health Network, The Daily Bulldog, 11/14/07. This rural community has one of the best rural healthcare systems in the country. You might expect me to say so as president of our local healthcare system, but it is true: some of the best doctors, nurses and other staff in the country work right here, at Franklin Community Health Network (FCHN) and other local health agencies.