12 of Maine's 24 rural hospitals face closure. Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired in January 2026. Maine has the oldest median age in the nation at 45.1 years.
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Call Your Representative
U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Here's what to say:
- I'm calling to ask the Senator to support legislation making Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent.
- Half of Maine's 24 rural hospitals are at risk of closing. One already shut down in 2025.
- Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired January 30, 2026. Rural patients who relied on video visits now must drive to a physical clinic or go without care.
- Maine has the oldest median age in the nation. These are Medicare-dependent communities losing access to healthcare.
- Please support permanent telehealth coverage, not temporary extensions that expire every few years.
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Write Your Own Letter
Prefer to write in your own words? Use this as a starting point.
Dear [Senator/Representative name],
I am writing as a constituent from [city, state] about demand congress restore medicare telehealth permanently.
Half of Maine's 24 rural hospitals are at risk of closing. One already shut down in 2025.
Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired January 30, 2026. Rural patients who relied on video visits now must drive to a physical clinic or go without care.
Maine has the oldest median age in the nation. These are Medicare-dependent communities losing access to healthcare.
The facts support this: 12 of 24 Maine rural hospitals at risk of closing. 45.1 years Maine's median age, oldest in the nation. January 30, 2026 Date Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired.
I am asking you to take a public position on this issue and act accordingly. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
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Key Facts to Mention
Use these in your letter, call, email, or social post.
- 12 of 24 Maine rural hospitals at risk of closing
- 45.1 years Maine's median age, oldest in the nation
- January 30, 2026 Date Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired
Preview the full letter
Half of Maine's 24 rural hospitals are at risk of closing. Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville already shut down in June 2025. Several others have closed their birthing centers, forcing pregnant patients to drive an hour or more for delivery. Maine has the oldest median age of any state at 45.1 years. Vermont is third oldest at 42.8. Both states have disproportionately large Medicare-dependent populations in their rural counties.
On January 30, 2026, extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired. Medicare patients can no longer receive coverage for medical visits by phone or video except for psychiatry and behavioral health. For rural patients who relied on telehealth, this means driving to a physical clinic or going without care. Both states cover all four telehealth modalities through Medicaid, but Medicare patients are a larger share of the rural population.
Medicaid cuts are directly leading to rural hospital closures and service reductions in Maine. Rural hospitals operate on thin margins and Medicaid often reimburses below cost. When both Medicaid and Medicare pull back at the same time, the financial model collapses. Tell your senators to restore Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanently.
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