During our social hour, our club is enjoying Chef Amy’s appetizers; they’re delicious! President Tony called the meeting to order a few minutes late. After the pledge and the singing of “God Bless America,” Steve Salorio provided the invocation. Dinner was Chef Amy Ronan’s delightful stuffed pork with red potatoes and apple sauce. Henry Wyatt ran the 50/50; Vic Taylor won the $5 while Alice Mutch won the grand prize. Our honorable and distinguished “best Sergeant at Arms” Bob Pike collected the happy dollars.

There were announcements about auction pickups this weekend. Also, on Saturday, June 17, there will be a work party at the barn to organize and compact our stash of goodies. As usual, our stores overflow, and that’s a good thing.

Jim Donovan presented the club with a fairly detailed progression of the LincolnHealth/Maine Health hospital consolidations. This year is the 20th anniversary of MaineHealth. Despite 2016 revenues of 2.4 billion dollars, underpayment by Maine care and Medicare, and non-payment of individual accounts are a huge problem. Seems folks with high deductable policies are not able to pay that high deductable either; 78 percent to 88 percent of revenues are paid by Medicare/Maine Care. The balance is direct insurance pay with about 5 percent of billable costs lost to no pay/free care. Jim stated that in 2005, medical expenses consumed about 5 percent of personal income on average. For 2015 that amount is estimated to be 8 percent. (Editor’s note: Canadians reportedly pay about 9-10 percent (or 11 percent for a family) for their universal, single payer healthcare).

Locally, Jim reported that the Zimmerli center is already at an average of 72 percent utilization; and the Coulombe Health Center is providing support and drug rehab services. At the Miles campus, a new family care center addition is under construction. Jim said that MaineHealth is working on defining the scope of resources that are needed to address the needs of the opiate addition population.

Upcoming events:

• June 15: Louis Sell, 28-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service speaking on various aspects of US-Soviet relations.
• June 22: Nick Ullo, Boothbay Region Land Trust executive director and Jonathan Tindal – What the Land Trust is doing to ensure Quality of Life in the Boothbay Region – Newsworthy new developments.

Persons interested in Rotary, visiting Rotarians and guests are always welcome to join us at our weekly meetings. 6-8 p.m. at the Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. Contact Alice Mutch at 410-353-3861