$3 Million for Cardiac Operating Rooms at Maine Medical Center Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that she secured $3,000,000 to construct and modernize operating rooms at Maine Medical Center.  A senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins pushed to include the funding in the draft Fiscal Year 2022 Health and Human Services Appropriations bill that has been released by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  The legislation must still be voted upon by the full Senate and House.

“Maine Medical Center is on the cutting-edge of cardiovascular care,” said Senator Collins.  “This funding to expand the number of state-of-the-art hybrid operating rooms at Maine Medical Center’s hospital in Portland will allow more Mainers to access minimally invasive and highly effective treatments for heart disease, coronary valve disease, and other cardiac issues.  I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

Maine Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Institute performs complex, minimally invasive heart surgeries known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and MitraClip Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair System (MitraClip).  TAVR and MitraClip, as well as vascular surgeries such as aortic and thoracic aneurysm repair, require an operating environment that supports both advanced imaging as found in a cardiac catheterization lab and a sterile field as found in traditional operating rooms.  The combination of these technologies form what is called a Hybrid Operating Room (Hybrid OR).  

Maine Medical Center transformed an existing space into a cardiovascular hybrid operating room, and it is in the process of building four more in the Malone Family Tower.

If the Health and Human Services Appropriations bill is enacted into law, Maine Medical Center will use this funding to support the construction, modernization, and expansion of hybrid operating rooms in Portland.

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