Downtown Belfast

Government Relations

As the largest health care system in the state, MaineHealth plays a vital role as a health care provider and employer in Maine. Serving 11 Maine counties along with Carroll County, New Hampshire and with more than 22,000 employees across 12 organizations, MaineHealth is deeply committed to the health and prosperity of the communities we serve.

With one of the oldest and poorest state populations in the country, Maine faces significant challenges in maintaining a healthy population. Our focus on quality, safety, accessibility, cost of care and community health guides our efforts to deliver exceptional care to our patients and improve the health status of our communities.

Taking a leadership role in public policy

Operating at the intersection of health, business, education, not-for-profit and public spheres, we feel a responsibility to advocate for policies that best promote the health of the people of Maine. MaineHealth believes taking a leadership role in public policy is a critical element of working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.

Relationship built on trust and expertise

Our government relations team works with elected officials to build a relationship based on trust and expertise.

We help legislators, patients and communities to have a clear understanding of MaineHealth, our mission and the full spectrum of services we provide. By leveraging our credibility, accountability and honesty, we are able to help shape public policy that will keep our communities healthy in the 21st century.

2024 End of Session Report

The 2024 End of Session Report provides an overview of the key bills that the MaineHealth Government Affairs Team tracked and worked on during the Second Session (or “short session”) of the 131st Maine Legislature. Since the Session began in January, we have tracked, analyzed, and weighed in on nearly 120 bills and amendments. This is nearly the number of bills that MaineHealth normally testifies on during a “long session.” It was a busy year!

 

Federal Relations

Maine's Federal Delegation

Senator Susan Collins 

Washington D.C. Office
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone:
202-224-2523
Fax: (202) 224-2693

 Senator Angus King

Washington, D.C. Office
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone:
202-224-5344
Fax: (202) 224-1946

Representative Chellie Pingree

Washington D.C. Office
2162 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1901
Phone:
202-225-6116
Fax: (202) 225-5590

Representative Jared Golden

Washington D.C. Office
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 
Phone:
202-225-6306


Trampas Hutches, President, Franklin Community Health
 
Andy Patstone, President, Western Maine Health

Kelly Barton, President, Maine Behavioral Healthcare

Jeff Sanders, President, Maine Medical Center

Nate Howell, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Maine Health Care

Terri Cannan, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, MaineHealth

Dora Anne Mills, Chief Community Health Improvement Officer, MaineHealth

Mark Fourre, President, Coastal Healthcare Alliance

Cindy Wade, President, LincolnHealth

James Donovan, President, LincolnHealth

Martha Ridge, Senior Director, Network Development and Management, MHACO

Jim Bailinson, Corporate Counsel, MaineHealth

Jennifer Moore, President, MHACO

Troy Trejo, Vice President of System Development, MaineHealth

Kelly Elkins, Chief Operating Officer, MaineHealth

Marjorie Wiggins, Chief Nursing Officer, Maine Medical Center

Brian Marden, Chief Pharmacy Officer, MaineHealth

Joel Botler,Chief Medical Officer & President, Maine Medical Partners

Rebecca Hemphill, Internal Medicine, Maine Medical Partners

Dora Anne Mills, Chief Health Improvement Officer, MaineHealth

Stephen DiGiovanni, Pediatrics, Maine Medical Center

Christine Anderson, Chief Nursing Officer, LincolnHealth

Mark Eggena, Chief Medical Officer, Pen Bay Medical Center

Elisabeth Wilson, Chief of Family Medicine, Maine Medical Center

Maribeth Hourihan, Pediatric Cardiologist, Maine Medical Partners

Dr. Liz Erekson, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Maine Medical Center

Jenn Schmitz, Interim Chief Nursing Officer, Southern Maine Health Care

Frank Chessa, Director of Clinical Ethics, Maine Medical Center

Ryan Knapp, Chief Medical Officer, Western Maine Health

Douglas Sawyer, Interim Chief Medical Officer, MaineHealth

Sarah Austin, Perinatal Outreach Education Coordinator, Maine Medical Center

Aileen Mickey, President, Maine Medical Group

Liz Jacobs, Vice President of Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR)

Ryan Polly, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Mary Jane Krebs, Senior Vice President of Intensive Services, Maine Behavioral Healthcare & President of Spring Harbor Hospital

Linda Durst, Senior Vice President, Medical & Clinical Affairs, Maine Behavioral Healthcare & Chief of Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center

Kelly Barton, President, Maine Behavioral Healthcare

Bill Chrisemer, Chief Financial Officer

Jim Bailinson, Corporate Counsel, MaineHealth

Thomas Kivler, Senior Director of Behavioral Health, Mid Coast Hospital

Maria Hadjiyane, Vice President of Ambulatory Services, Maine Behavioral Healthcare

Rob McCarley, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Intensive Services, Maine Behavioral Healthcare

Steve Stout, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Ambulatory, Maine Behavioral Healthcare

Government Relations Leadership at MaineHealth

Katie Fullam Harris, MaineHealth Chief Government Affairs Officer

Katie Fullam Harris

Chief Government Affairs Officer

Katie Fullam Harris serves as Chief Government Affairs Officer for MaineHealth, Maine’s largest health care system. She works with policymakers and employers to shape and respond to public policy and market changes, and she leads efforts to develop new system initiatives that support MaineHealth’s accountable care goals. Prior to joining MaineHealth, Katie was the Director of Government Relations for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine.  She has also served as a program director for the Maine Development Foundation and as Assistant to the Commissioner for the Maine Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

A native of Maine, Katie has an MS in Health Care Policy and Management from the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine, and a BA from Columbia University.  She is an active triathlete and runner, and she and her husband live in Cumberland with their 2 dogs.

110 Free Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 207-661-7542 | Email

 

Sarah Calder, MaineHealth Director of Government Affairs

Sarah Calder

Director, Government Affairs

Sarah Calder is the Director of Government Affairs for MaineHealth. In her role, Sarah advocates with the Maine Legislature to support policies that further MaineHealth’s mission of “working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” Before joining MaineHealth, Sarah was the Director of Government Relations for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA), where she led the association’s local government advocacy outreach. Prior to joining the IHA, Sarah worked on Capitol Hill. Sarah received bachelor’s degrees in both political science and religious studies from Arizona State University. 

110 Free Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 207-661-7575 | Email