Maine DHHS Awards $5.1M in Relief Grants to 53 Health Care Organizations

Funds support hospitals and nursing homes serving MaineCare members during COVID-19 pandemic

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that it has awarded $5.1 million in grants to 53 health care organizations that serve residents with MaineCare to help sustain vital health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program, announced in November, is modeled on the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development's (DECD) Maine Economic Recovery Grant program. Health care organizations that were ineligible for funding through the DECD program, such as hospitals and nursing homes of any size and health care providers with over 250 employees, were eligible for these grants. The program is backed by federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds and provides up to $100,000 in financial relief to an organization to address business disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify, health care organizations must have served MaineCare members in 2020.

The bulk of the funding was awarded to Maine hospitals and nursing homes, with grants also received by providers of children's behavioral health and home health and hospice care.

DECD is administering the grant program in coordination with DHHS. The award amounts were based on demonstrated need, accounting for other sources of funding providers have accessed, to offset revenue losses related to the pandemic.

As with the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program, the Maine Health Care Financial Relief grants may be used to cover expenses including: payroll costs and expenses; rent or mortgage payments for business facilities; utilities payments; necessary operating expenses; expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses; purchase of personal protective equipment required by the business or business-related equipment. Funds must be spent on operations strictly within Maine. Recipients are liable for any misuse of funds, and the grants are subject to audit.

The grants build on DHHS' increased financial support to MaineCare providers in response to the pandemic. DHHS has provided more than $57 million in State and Federal funds to MaineCare providers as direct assistance, including supplemental payments to hospitals, temporary rate increases for nursing facilities and other congregate care providers, incentive payments for child and behavioral health providers, and acceleration of prior planned rate increases. The State has also provided considerable COVID-19 testing support to providers, particularly for Nursing Facilities and other congregate care settings, through use of the Health and Environmental Testing Lab (HETL) and through direct reimbursement.

Maine health care providers have also received direct support of nearly $500 million from the Federal government's coronavirus Provider Relief Fund. Additionally, some health care providers were eligible for previous rounds of DECD's Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program, which in total provided $235 million to 5,294 businesses and nonprofits across the state.

Digital Downloads: Laws of the Maine Outdoors

Being a responsible user of the Maine outdoors means staying informed of, and complying with, the current laws and rules. MDIFW's popular summary guides make it easy to find and follow the laws and rules that apply to you. And now, our NEW digital formats allow you to quickly check a law, confirm legal hunting hours, look up best practices and more – from anywhere, anytime. Browse laws by activity below; and before you head into the woods or onto the water, follow these instructions to save an offline law book or quick-reference guide to your mobile device.

MAINE HUNTING LAWS

Summary of Maine Hunting Laws (PDF)

Search Maine Hunting Laws

Quick-Reference Guides:

2020-2021 Hunting Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

2020-2021 Migratory Game Bird Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

Hunting Hour Charts:

Legal Hunting Hours: Migratory Game Bird (PDF)

Legal Hunting Hours (PDF)

Seasons + Bag Limits:

2020-2021 Seasons and Bag Limits (PDF)

MAINE FISHING LAWS

2021 Summary of Maine Fishing Laws (PDF)

Search Maine Fishing Laws

Maine Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool

MAINE TRAPPING LAWS

Summary of Maine Trapping Laws (PDF)

Search Maine Trapping Laws

MAINE SNOWMOBILING + ATV LAWS

Summary of Maine Snowmobile and ATV Laws (PDF)

Review Maine ATV Laws

Review Maine Snowmobile Laws

MAINE BOATING LAWS

Maine Boating Laws (PDF)

Why Digital Law Books?

In 2016, the Dept. of IF&W printed over 700,000 law books. That's a lot of paper and a lot of money diverted from Maine's fish and wildlife. With 77% of the U.S. population using smartphones in 2017, our agency's mission clearly directed us to make a shift. And while we are still printing some books (available at license agent locations), we're asking you to do your part and make use of the convenient and responsible digital options. As a bonus, the digital options are searchable and always on hand, as long as you have your mobile device.

Winter Camping Opportunities

You can be toasty warm when winter camping and recreating. All it takes is a bit of preparation. Here are some tips for making your winter camping this season the best ever.

Be Prepared:

• for changing weather conditions (both you and your car),
• to provide your own first aid, and
• to not count on your cell phone, which in Maine can be very unreliable,
• know your limits, and those of your companions (outdoor skills & physical ability), refresh your outdoor skills & consider an easy adventure to start the winter season
• for unstable ice conditions - do not travel or fish on ice unless you are certain of the thickness and your safety.
• tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to return so that they can initiate help if you do not return on time.

Winter Camping Locations and additional information.