An Act to Implement Certain Recommendations Related to the Regulatory Review and Approval of Certain Health Care Transactions Involving Private Equity Companies, Hedge Funds or Management Services Organizations from the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the Delivery of Health Care Services in the State
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
State reviews investor takeovers of health care
Beginning January 1, 2027, Maine reviews covered investor deals that acquire majority ownership or operating control of health care entities. This includes private equity firms, hedge funds, and management services organizations owned or controlled by those investors. Covered entities must submit deal documents and notice at least 180 days before closing. The state posts public details within 10 days, but can protect information it finds proprietary. Within 60 days of receiving complete notice, the state must approve, add conditions, or require a full review. Full review is required for asset transfers above $100 million, reduced competition, or likely major effects on regional care costs, quality, access, or equity. Public hearings or meetings must occur within 90 days of that decision, including one in the entity's county. A requested state cost and market report is due within 150 days if information requests are answered on time. The state can approve, condition, or block deals; its final decision is due within 60 days of notice or receiving the full review report. Deals cannot close before the state gives its decision.
Small independent provider groups avoid new rules
Independent provider groups with six or fewer individual providers are exempt from the new deal review rules. To qualify, the group must have no ownership or control entities. These qualifying groups are also exempt from the ownership reporting requirements.
Health care deal parties pay review costs
Covered health care entities must pay a nonrefundable filing fee when they submit notice of a deal. Initial fees set by state rules must range from $2,000 to $10,000. The state may set other reasonable fees to run the program. It may also charge deal parties all actual, reasonable, direct review costs, including state health care office and consultant costs. Parties may also pay compliance monitoring costs, with no fixed amount stated; these charges do not apply directly to households.
Health care deals face checks and penalties
After approval following a full review, the health care entity or buyer must report at 1, 2, and 5 years. The state can require further reports and audit whether parties follow approval conditions. Reports must cover conditions, cost trends, patient access, available services, workers, quality, and equity. Violating the law, its rules, or approval conditions brings a $10,000 penalty for each day of violation. The Attorney General can subpoena records, seek damages or court orders, and recover attorney's fees and costs.
Health care ownership becomes public information
Covered health care entities must file ownership reports by July 1, 2027, and again after completing a covered ownership deal. Reports include names, addresses, operating locations, business IDs, contact details, and charts showing owners, affiliates, and subsidiaries. Hospitals must also report details about affiliated providers and facilities. Owned providers and provider groups can be included in an owner's report if its chart and report contain their required details. Health care facilities cannot use that exception. Ownership information is public, except for specified business IDs and a provider's taxpayer ID that is also a Social Security number. By January 1, 2029, and annually afterward, the reporting organization must publish a report covering the previous year. It must list reporting counts, entities, addresses, business structures, ownership changes, and required hospital affiliate and subsidiary details.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 690
4/13/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/8/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/8/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-981) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-981), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
4/7/2026SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-981).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/7/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.On motion by Senator Bailey of York REFERRED to Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services, in concurrence.
2/10/2026SenateRepresentative MATHIESON for the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services pursuant to Resolve 2025, chapter 106, section 8 reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES and printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICESSent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/10/2026House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-981), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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