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Health Care

Long-Term Challenge

Maine’s Lax Oversight of Residential Care Facilities

With the disappearance of nursing home beds across Maine, thousands of aging Mainers are being sent to “nonmedical” residences that aren’t equipped to handle more intensive health needs. But the state has failed to aggressively regulate those residences.

Impact of Our Reporting
Caret

Long-Term Challenge

Maine Proposes Major Staffing Increases for Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities

The proposed regulations come after an 18-month investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica found dozens of violations at the state’s largest facilities.

Rose Lundy, The Maine Monitor,

Local Reporting Network

4 stories published since 2023

Maine’s Health Department Rarely Investigates When Residents Wander Away From Their Care Facilities

by Rose Lundy, The Maine Monitor,

Maine Rarely Sanctions Residential Care Facilities Even After Severe Abuse or Neglect Incidents

by Rose Lundy, The Maine Monitor,

As Residential Care Homes Expand in Maine, Seniors Don’t Always Get the Care They Need

by Rose Lundy, The Maine Monitor; Research by Mariam Elba; Photography by Tara Rice for ProPublica,

Help Us Report on Assisted Living Facilities in Maine

by Rose Lundy, The Maine Monitor,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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