Three healthcare facilities in Washington County have received a total of $11.4 million in federal funding through congressionally directed spending. Eastport Health Care received a little over $5 million; the Calais Community Hospital (CCH) was awarded $1.35 million; and the Regional Medical Center at Lubec (RMCL) received $5 million.
      Julie Hixon, director of marketing and communications with Down East Community Hospital, the parent organization of Calais Community Hospital, explains that the funds will be used to expand services in Baileyville with a rural health center. "We purchased Dr. Hoops' building that is located by the town office. The long term plan is to remodel that building and have primary care services there by the end of this year. Once primary care is up and running, we will look into adding other services. The project will cost approximately $1.5 to $2 million."
      Eastport Health Care is planning to relocate its Eastport facility on Boynton Street to a new spot not far from its current location. The move will be to a 2.8-acre lot at the corner of Key Street and County Road, which adjoins the R&M IGA parking lot. The new facility, estimated to cost between $5 and $6 million to build, will meet increasing patient need with a possible doubling in size, according to EHC CEO Ellen Krajewski. The new health center may be completed in 2025, depending in part on the funding timeline. She hopes to see construction start this summer.
      The Regional Medical Center at Lubec will use the $5 million it received in funding to construct and equip a new healthcare facility for the Healthways/East Machias Clinic. CEO Tom MacDonald explains that it will be significantly larger than the current one, at about 7,550 square feet as opposed to about 3,000. It will be a quarter mile down the street from the existing space at 893 Main Street. "We plan to add dental services. There's a huge need in Washington County." Along with adding a dentist and dental hygienist, RMCL plans to add a medical provider as well. The behavioral health services are right sized for now, but the plans will have built in the capacity to expand when and if needed in the future. MacDonald estimates that the new health center will be competed in the third or fourth quarter of 2026.