Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $70,872,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine hospitals and health centers in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Mainers in every part of our state should be able to receive the vital medical services they need,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support much-needed equipment and facility upgrades at hospitals and health centers, helping to expand and improve the quality of an array of health care services throughout the state. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
Maternal Delivery and New Infant Project
Recipient: Northern Light Eastern Maine Health
Project Location: Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Portland, Presque Isle
Amount Requested: $1,599,000
Project Purpose: To replace and modernize equipment across hospitals with labor and delivery units.
St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
Recipient: St. Joseph Hospital
Project Location: Bangor, ME
Amount Requested: $6,800,000
Project Purpose: To renovate, expand, and equip the Emergency Department.
Bingham Area Health Center Dental Services Expansion
Recipient: HealthReach Community Health Centers
Project Location: Bingham, ME
Amount Requested: $650,000
Project Purpose: To expand the dental services wing of Bingham Area Health Center.
Bridgton Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
Recipient: Bridgton Hospital
Project Location: Bridgton, ME
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Project Purpose: To renovate, expand, and equip the Emergency Department.
Bucksport Regional Health Center Dental Expansion
Recipient: Bucksport Regional Health Center
Project Location: Bucksport, ME
Amount Requested: $1,980,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to expand dental services.
Rural Health Clinic Expansion
Recipient: Calais Community Hospital
Project Location: Calais, ME
Amount Requested: $4,990,000
Project Purpose: To expand and renovate the Rural Health Clinic.
Pines Health Services Relocation
Recipient: Pines Health Services
Project Location: Caribou, ME
Amount Requested: $8,900,000
Project Purpose: To support the construction of a new health center for Pines Health Services.
Houlton Regional Hospital Improvements
Recipient: Houlton Regional Hospital
Project Location: Houlton, ME
Amount Requested: $5,458,000
Project Purpose: To support facility and safety improvements.
MaineGeneral Health Electronic Medical Records Infrastructure Improvement
Recipient: MaineGeneral Health
Project Location: Kennebec County, ME
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to support electronic medical records software upgrades.
Spurwink Lewiston Behavioral Health Center
Recipient: Spurwink Services
Project Location: Lewiston, ME
Amount Requested: $5,666,000
Project Purpose: To renovate an existing structure for behavioral health services.
St. Mary’s Behavioral Health Emergency Department Expansion
Recipient: St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Project Location: Lewiston, ME
Amount Requested: $2,619,000
Project Purpose: To renovate, expand, and equip the Behavioral Health Emergency Department.
Stephens Memorial Hospital Renovations
Recipient: Western Maine Health (MaineHealth)
Project Location: Norway, ME
Amount Requested: $10,810,000
Project Purpose: To construct and equip a new Emergency Department and oncology infusion center.
Rumford Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
Recipient: Rumford Hospital
Project Location: Rumford, ME
Amount Requested: $6,400,000
Project Purpose: To renovate, expand, and equip the Emergency Department.
York Hospital Electronic Medical Records Infrastructure Improvement
Recipient: York Hospital
Project Location: York, ME
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to support electronic medical records software upgrades.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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