Dear Editor:

If you feel strongly that our peninsula needs an urgent care center at night as well as from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., please vote with your feet and with your wallets.

Mary Mayhew, our Commissioner of Health & Human Services, determined that having LincolnHealth provide 24-hour urgent care was a minimum quid pro quo for removing our 24-hour ER and hospital beds. That’s why she made provision of 24-hour urgent care the third condition in her retroactive approval of the merger of St. Andrews Hospital and Miles Memorial Hospital into LincolnHealth. While we would all prefer to restore our ER, we support the Commissioner’s condition as a minimum requirement for access to local healthcare for our aging population.

Now, MaineHealth has asked Commissioner Mayhew to reconsider that third Condition. If you, or someone you love, has needed medical help between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. since October 1, 2013, please come tell your story. We ask you to attend the DHHS Public Hearing on Monday, Aug. 11, starting at 10 a.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Town Office, sign in, and let your voice be heard. Come prepared to speak for three minutes. Write down your story so you can hand it in — and in case you get cut off.

And, please support the Wellness Foundation with your donations. We’re a group of community volunteers who have been working tirelessly for over two years to advocate for access to local healthcare services on our peninsula. We have donated countless hours and many thousands of dollars to be your advocates. We need your support! Donate online at www.boothbaywellness.org or send a check made out to Boothbay Wellness Foundation to P.O. Box 335, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. Together, we can determine the level and type of health services we need and want in our community.

Patty Seybold
Board President
Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation