AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Gov. Paul LePage says he’s moving forward without legislative approval on plans to build a secure, privately run residence in Bangor for some psychiatric patients who no longer need hospital care.
But details about how Maine would pay for the 21-bed residence remain secret more than a year after the Republican announced his latest plans. Such silence has left questions unanswered for a number of residents who have lived at Riverview Psychiatric Center for years and could live at the home.
His administration says it’s “actively negotiating” with a potential builder. Meanwhile, a Florida-based health care company could receive a $60.3 million contract to run the home.
The governor, lawmakers and advocates have long agreed the residence could shorten waitlists and help regain federal certification of a state psychiatric center.
