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On behalf of the Town of Jackman and the Jackman Select Board, I would like to thank Sen. Susan Collins for her leadership in advancing the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program and for ensuring that Maine received critically important funding.
For rural communities like Jackman, access to health care is not simply a matter of convenience — it is essential to public safety, economic stability, and overall quality of life. Collins has long recognized the unique challenges faced by rural towns and has worked to ensure that federal policy supports practical, locally driven solutions.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is a strong example of that approach. By encouraging innovation and flexibility, the program helps rural communities develop health care models that reflect local needs rather than one-size-fits-all systems. In Jackman, initiatives such as our paramedic program demonstrate how expanded, integrated care can improve access, reduce unnecessary hospital utilization, and deliver timely care close to home. Programs like ours depend on forward-thinking policy that allows rural providers to adapt, collaborate, and innovate.
Collins’ efforts have helped create the conditions for these solutions to take root and succeed across Maine. Her continued advocacy ensures that rural communities are not an afterthought in health care reform, but an active part of shaping its future.
We are grateful for her commitment to rural Maine and for her work to strengthen health care access for communities like Jackman.
Alan Duplessis
Chair
Jackman Select Board
Jackman