Governor Janet Mills Demands CMMC Reinstate Nurses, Questions Whether Prime is Upholding State Certificate of Need Requirements

Governor Janet Mills sent a letter to Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) on Wednesday demanding that the hospital reinstate 15 nurses it illegally fired and five others it suspended for supporting the RN's union drive. Mills wrote that "it is unconscionable that CMMC would fire or suspend so many nurses" at a time when the state is in "desperate need of healthcare professionals."

"I strongly urge you to immediately reinstate every nurse who has been wrongfully fired or suspended," wrote Mills. "Failure to do so will make clear to Maine people that Prime Healthcare is prioritizing corporate interests over the commitments it made to the State of Maine to deliver the quality health care which Maine people expect and deserve."

Mills noted that her administration issued a Certificate of Need (CON) in 2025 approving of Prime Healthcare’s acquisition of Central Maine Healthcare. However, in July, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services notified Prime that it was reviewing the company's compliance with the CON's staffing requirement. She said while Prime Healthcare insists that no employee was disciplined because of union activity, "taking this action amid a critical statewide nursing shortage – and just days before nurses are set to exercise their right to make their voices heard in a union election – raises serious questions about retaliation."

"The decision to fire or suspend 20 nurses only heightens concerns that Prime Healthcare is failing to meet its commitments under the CON approval, which requires that essential health services for patients be maintained in accordance with acceptable standards for quality and safety," wrote Mills. "As well, I understand that the Department, acting in its capacity as the state agent for Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has made a site visit to CMMC and is reviewing quality of care and safety concerns related to staffing under that authority."