When the 132nd Maine Legislature reconvenes in January, Sen. Reny will introduce legislation to address the critical lack of access to affordable medications that Mainers are facing — particularly in rural and underserved communities with Federally Qualified Health Centers, or FQHCs. Sen. Reny’s proposed bill, “An Act to Improve Access to Affordable Medication in Underserved Areas,” was approved for introduction to the Legislature’s Second Regular Session by a majority of the Legislative Council in a Nov. 20 meeting. 

“The goal of LR 2736 is to increase access to affordable prescription medications in rural and underserved areas,” said Sen. Reny. “This bill is a practical and urgently needed bipartisan investment in Maine’s rural health infrastructure. It empowers our community health centers to fill the gaps left by the market and ensure that all Mainers, regardless of where they live, can obtain the medications they depend on.” 

Over the past several years, Maine has seen a steep decline in its number of retail pharmacies, particularly in rural communities. Many pharmacies have closed their doors altogether, while others have reduced hours due to workforce shortages and financial pressures, leaving many Mainers struggling to access pharmacy services in their communities. In most Maine counties, more than 50% of residents now live in a pharmacy desert (Good Rx). In Washington and Waldo counties, that number is 100% (Good Rx).

This lack of access poses a real and immediate threat to public health when Mainers cannot fill their prescriptions locally, especially for chronic or life-threatening conditions. 

LR 2736 provides a focused and fiscally responsible solution. The bill would allocate $4 million in one-time funding to establish a grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Under this program, Maine’s community health centers would apply for funding to develop or expand in-house pharmacy capacity to ensure patients can obtain affordable medications directly where they receive their care. 

New legislation in the Second Regular Session of the Maine Legislature must be approved for introduction by the Legislative Council, which is made up of the Democratic and Republican leaders in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.  

The Legislature is set to reconvene for the Second Regular Session on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.