$1.6M for Northern Light Health advanced by Collins in funding bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, 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 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

Funding advanced by Collins includes $1,599,000 for Northern Light Eastern Maine Health for maternal delivery and new infant projects in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Portland and Presque Isle to replace and modernize equipment across hospitals with labor and delivery units. 

“Mainers in every part of our state should be able to receive the vital medical services they need,” said 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.