03/10/2025
📢 Milestone Recovery is testifying today at the public hearing on LD 514: Resolve to Raise MaineCare Reimbursement Rates for Detoxification Services.
Detox services save lives—but without adequate funding, providers like Milestone struggle to keep these critical programs running. LD 514 would help ensure that Maine’s most vulnerable residents can access the care they need by raising MaineCare reimbursement rates for detox services.
We’re urging lawmakers to support this bill so we can continue offering lifesaving care to those experiencing substance use disorders. Maine’s community deserves accessible, sustainable recovery services.
🗣️ Help us make an impact! Comment in support, contact your legislators, and share this post to spread the word.
Maine Recovery Advocates Unite as Coalition Ahead of Public Hearing on Detox Bed Reimbursement Bill
Augusta, Maine — Over 150 recovery, harm reduction, and treatment providers, along with individuals across Maine, have joined forces to form the Coalition, advocating for increased MaineCare reimbursement rates for medically managed withdrawal beds. This united effort aims to ensure that individuals seeking recovery have access to the critical first step: safe and sustainable detox services.
The coalition is rallying support for a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Joe Baldacci , which seeks to raise reimbursement rates to align with neighboring states. The bill has already gained widespread legislative backing, reflecting the broad consensus that these services are essential for public health and safety. A public hearing on the bill will take place on Monday, the 10th, at 1 PM in the Health and Human Services Committee (HHS). Advocates will be available during this time for press interviews.
"Making medically managed withdrawal both accessible and sustainable is essential to supporting recovery," said Senator Baldacci (D). "Maine’s current detox bed reimbursement rate is significantly lower than the cost of actually providing these services, putting these critical services at risk. Without sufficient funding, Maine faces the loss of detox beds, leaving individuals without a medically supported path to recovery. This bill is about saving lives and ensuring the stability of Maine’s recovery infrastructure."
"Recovery is something we can all agree on," said Senator Farrin (R). "Too many families, including my own, have felt the devastating impact of substance use. We have a responsibility to ensure that when someone reaches out for help, a bed is available. LD 514 is a critical step in sustaining Maine’s detox services and giving people a real chance at recovery. This is about saving lives, and I urge my colleagues to stand together in support."
“Walking into detox was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it saved my life,” said Joe Hartel, a person in recovery. “When someone is ready to take that step, they shouldn’t have to wait or be turned away because there’s no funding to keep beds open. Detox is often the first step toward recovery, and without it, too many people are left without options. This bill is about making sure that help is there when it’s needed—because timing can mean the difference between life and death.”
“Every day, we see people who are ready to begin their recovery journey but the current Mainecare reimbursement rates make it nearly impossible to sustain these life-saving services,” said Jayme Villanueva, Clinical Director at Milestone Recovery. “Without adequate funding, we risk losing the critical first step in recovery. This bill ensures that when someone reaches out for help, a medically supported detox bed is there waiting—not a closed door. We urge lawmakers to act now to sustain Maine’s MaineCare detox beds and prevent more unnecessary losses.”
“As someone who works every day to connect people to detox the moment they’re ready, I see firsthand how critical these services are—and how devastating it is when there’s nowhere for them to go,” said Pyan Raige, Chief Operating Officer of Access Direct. “Organizations like Wellspring Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health Services., Liberty Bay, Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness, and Milestone Recovery play a vital role in ensuring that people in crisis can access withdrawal management services. The Coalition urges legislators to pass this bill and calls on the public to stand in support. We have the beds, now we need to keep them open.”
“For years, Maine’s recovery community has called on lawmakers to expand access to detox beds, and together, we’ve made real progress.” said Tess Parks, Policy Director of Maine Recovery Action Project (ME-RAP). “But building capacity is only part of the solution—we must now ensure these beds remain open and available when people need them most. This bill represents our collective commitment to making recovery not just possible, but accessible at the moment it’s needed.”
For more information, to get involved or scheduled an interview with an advocate, contact Tess Parks at [email protected].
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