Fun Facts About Maine
Puffins were lured back to Maine with fake puffins. Conservationists used wooden decoys, mirrors, and recorded puffin sounds to convince returning birds that Maine islands were safe places to hang out and nest. It worked!
Text Link
| |
MAFP Joins Maine Healthcare Organizations in Immigration Statement
MAFP joined a coalition of Maine healthcare organizations in reaffirming that all patients—regardless of immigration status—should have access to safe, timely, and high-quality healthcare. The statement offers guidance on patient privacy, potential ICE activity, and supporting patients and colleagues during increased immigration enforcement.
Click here to read the full statement.
| | |
Medical Marijuana Testing
Legislation supporting medical marijuana testing did not pass this session, despite support from MAFP and the Maine Medical Association. Maine remains the only state without this testing requirement. MAFP will continue advocating for access to testing, particularly to protect vulnerable patients.
| |
LD 2196
After thoughtful discussion, the MAFP Advocacy Committee chose to take neither a position for nor against LD 2196, legislation intended to reduce costs for patients while capping reimbursement to hospitals and hospital systems.
| |
Reproductive Health & Vaccination Advocacy
MAFP supported Maine Family Planning’s state funding and remains committed to advocating for reproductive rights and access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. MAFP also partnered with the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics on two vaccine-related letters to the editor/op-eds supporting science-based vaccination policy..
| |
|
Advocacy Alert: Speak Out on Vaccine Integrity
Family physicians continue to advocate for science-based, evidence-informed vaccination policies that protect patients and public health.
The AAFP Family Medicine PAC is encouraging family physicians and advocates to take action in support of vaccine integrity and make their voices heard.
Take Action: Visit the AAFP Family Medicine PAC advocacy page to learn more and contact your elected officials.
Your voice matters. Help ensure patients have access to safe, effective, evidence-based vaccines.
Text
| | | |
AAFP Advances Key Federal Advocacy Priorities
AAFP continues to advocate on issues affecting family physicians and patients, including improving visa access for international medical graduates, eliminating Medicare cost-sharing for chronic disease management services, advancing value-based care, and increasing investment in primary care.
Read the Advocacy Rounds Update.
Text Link
| |
Maine Primary Care Advisory Council Update
The 18-member Maine Primary Care Advisory Council is working to build a sustainable, high-functioning primary care system. Current priorities include investment, patient access, workforce, quality, and equity. Five family physicians serve on the council, which recently finalized a framework defining the attributes of high-functioning primary care.
The PCAC meetings are open to the public. To learn more, review the minutes, or listen to recordings, visit Maine Primary Care Advisory Council.
| |  |
Family Physicians Needed for Transforming Maternal Health Initiatve
MAFP’s Maternity Care Task Force is seeking family physicians from across Maine to participate in the state’s Transforming Maternal Health initiative. The goal is to have a family physician represented in each of Maine’s nine public health districts. Current obstetric practice is not required.
Contact Dr. Marya Goettsche-Spurling.
| | |
Maine Immunization Program Expands
Beginning July 2026, Maine’s Immunization Program expanded to include adults ages 19–64. Participating practices can receive vaccines at no cost, clinicians can continue to bill for administration, and covered vaccines are available to patients regardless of insurance status. Practices that do not currently provide all routinely recommended adult vaccines are encouraged to explore enrollment. For more information, visit the Maine Immunization Program website.
| | | |
Share Your Perspective on Health Equality!
The Maine Medical Association and Hanley Center Joint Committee on Quality & Equity are inviting physicians and healthcare professionals to complete a brief, five-question survey on health equity in Maine. Your feedback will help identify current practices, challenges, and opportunities to advance health equity.
👉 Take the Health Equity Survey
👉 Learn More About the Survey
| | MAFP Educational Opportunities | |
Save the Date: 35th Annual MAFP Family Medicine Update
May 13–15, 2027 | Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine
Join family physicians and colleagues from across Maine for education, connection, and professional development at one of Maine’s premier coastal destinations. More details and registration information are coming soon.
| | |
Share your Expertise at the 2027 MAFP Annual Update
Have a clinical topic, innovative practice idea, or area of expertise to share? MAFP is accepting presentation proposals and colleague nominations. Please submit a separate survey for each presentation topic.
| | | External Educational Opportunities | |
47th Annual CO-OP Meeting
January 22–24, 2027 | Equinox Resort, Manchester, Vermont
Theme: “Addressing Social Drivers of Health in Primary Care.” Submissions are welcome for oral presentations, lightning talks, research posters, and workshops. Oral presentations should align with the theme; other submissions may cover a broad range of primary care topics.
Submit an Abstract
Student Volunteer Scholarship: Apply Here
Submission deadline listed in the source newsletter: August 31, 2027. Please verify the deadline before publication, since the meeting occurs in January 2027.
| | |
Advancing Youth Well-Being Through Partnership
November 7, 2026 | 8:30 AM–4:00 PM | Augusta Civic Center
Join Maine clinicians and national experts for a full day focused on youth mental health and collaboration between primary care and psychiatric providers. The program is designed for family physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists, behavioral health clinicians, nurses, NPs, PAs, and trainees.
Learn More & Register
| | | | |
