Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital will receive a combined $11.5 million in federal funding following passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the allocations for Central Maine Healthcare’s critical access hospitals as part of nearly $71 million in Congressionally Directed Spending she secured this year for Maine hospitals and health centers.
“As chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding,” Senator Collins said. “Mainers who live in the Lakes Region and River Valley should have access to the vital medical services they need. This funding will help secure much-needed equipment and facility upgrades at Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital, helping to expand and improve the quality of rural health care services in those regions.”
“This critical funding will allow Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital to enhance the overall health and wellness of the River Valley and Lakes Region communities,” said Stephany Jacques, president of Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. “More specifically, it will allow us to upgrade technology, increase space at the emergency departments and streamline patient care. On behalf of both hospitals, I would like to thank Senator Collins and the rest of Maine’s congressional delegation for their ongoing support and advocacy for high-quality care in our rural communities.”
“This funding is critically important for Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital,” said Steve Littleson, president and CEO of Central Maine Healthcare. “For many people in Maine’s most remote communities, these hospitals are a lifeline. When a patient has a heart attack or other medical emergency, they can be stabilized and cared for close to home while next steps are determined. This funding will help us modernize our emergency departments and strengthen access to high-quality emergency care for our communities.”