Maine battles rising health care costs amid federal shutdown

AUGUSTA, Maine — The cost of health care is rising, even for Mainers with private or public health insurance.

That's why industry leaders, advocacy groups, and political candidates gathered at the Augusta Civic Center this week to discuss some of the most urgent issues in Maine's health care system and work on finding possible solutions.

"We need to have folks back in this fight," said Anthony Wright, keynote speaker and executive director at Families USA .

Among the biggest concerns: rising health care premiums, increasing provider costs, and the financial strain on many of Maine's rural hospitals.

"The whole system is broken," said Lee Umphrey, board chair for Consumers for Affordable Health Care. "We’re looking at spikes in premiums and health care costs, especially in rural are