Priced Out: Health Care | Now streaming on NEWS CENTER Maine +

[Economy](/section/economy) Priced Out: Health Care | Now streaming on NEWS CENTER Maine + We spoke with Maine Hospital Association President Steven Michaud about the state of health care, from rising costs and staffing shortages to hospital closures.   Credit: NCM Author: Maria Skillings PORTLAND, Maine — In episode four of NEWS CENTER Maine’s "Priced Out" podcast, we took a closer look at the state of health care in Maine—what’s driving up costs, why hospitals are closing, and whether solutions are in sight. Chris Costa and I sat down with Maine Hospital Association President Steven Michaud to get answers. Michaud was also interviewed by NEWS CENTER Maine’s Don Carrigan last January, and he said conditions have improved slightly since then. **RELATED: [Maine hospitals struggle under rising costs and closures](/article/news/health/maine-hospital-association-financial-crisis-rural-health-care-system/97-bf0e6208-bc55-44e9-be66-883f6cfed25c)** While staffing shortages and the heavy reliance on costly traveling nurses strained hospital finances during the pandemic, Michaud said those pressures have eased. As of 2026, hospitals are better able to recruit and retai... --- *Note: This is a summarized excerpt. Click the source link above to read the full story.*