Profile: Ben Hawkins

Ben Hawkins has a history of communications, public relations, and workforce development. Previously, Ben was the marketing specialist for Eastern Maine Development Corporation, program coordinator for the Northeastern Workforce Development Board, and business outreach coordinator for Representative Jim Himes. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a double major in history and human rights. Ben lives in Brewer with his wife, Sarah, and their dog.

• Login Count: 205
• Join Date: 92/77/2022 49:00:00
• Last on: 05/15/2025 14:56:22
• Website: www.mehca.org
• Location: Maine Health Care Association
• Articles posted by this author:
• Recap: Technical Assistance Session with Inclusion Maine
• Legislative Update: Key Work Sessions Ahead for Long Term Care Bills
• Budget Reconciliation Update
• May 8 Legislative Update
• ICYMI: A Message from DHHS’s QuEST
• Final Reminder: RSVP by Monday for Our Hall of Flags Advocacy Event
• Update on Residential Care Facility Rate Reform
• Legislative Update – May 1, 2025
• Reminder: Join Us at the State House – May 27, 2025
• Reminder - Building a Stronger Long Term Care Workforce: Tools for Attraction and Retention
• Latest Update on Assisted Housing Regulations
• Building a Stronger Long Term Care Workforce: Tools for Attraction and Retention
• Updated Nursing Facility Principles of Reimbursement Adopted
• Nursing Facility (NF) Bariatric Care Document Available
• Join Us at the State House on May 27 to Advocate for Long Term Care
• DHHS NF Rate Reform Update: Value Based Payment Scorecards
• From OMS: Critical Communications: A New E-message Topic List
• From AHCA: AHCA Wins Court Case Against the Staffing Mandate
• 4/10/25 Legislative Update
• AHCA/NCAL Opens 2025 Awards Program Nominations
• 4/3/25 Legislative Update - Legislative Update: Thank You and What's Ahead
• 3/20/25 Legislative Update
• 3/13/25 Legislative Update
• Mike McNeil Cash Calendar Final Update
• There are Still Tickets for the Maine Mariners with MHCA!
• In Case You Missed It: DHHS Presents VBP Explanation
• Mike McNeil Calendar Winners as of Feb. 20
• 2/20/25 Legislative Update
• Maine Chamber of Commerce Event: Implications of Immigration Changes on Maine Employers:
• Research Study: Care-Wallet for Family Caregivers of Alzheimer’s/Dementia Patients
• Cheer on the Maine Mariners with MHCA!
• Mike McNeil Scholarship Calendar Drawings
• Final Reminder: Nominate Outstanding Direct Care Workers by February 15!
• February 6 Legislative Update
• PFML Authority Meeting: February 25, 2025
• 1/23/25 Legislative Update
• There is Still time to Win up to $2,500 with the Mike McNeil Cash Calendar Fundraiser!
• Feedback Survey on the MaineCare Rate Determination Process (Rate Reform)
• From AHCA/NCAL: CMS Announces Nursing Home Staffing Campaign Financial Incentives
• Join Us at the State House to Meet Legislators – January 30th
• Nominate Outstanding Direct Care Workers for National Recognition!
• Employers – Action required for new PFML program
• Nursing Home Staffing Task Force Survey
• Maine Department of Labor Announces Adoption of Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Rule
• December Updates StrengthenME- Grant Extension, Holiday Support
• Reminder: Assisted Housing Proposed Rulemaking Written Comments Due November 25th at 5:00 PM
• Maine Department of Labor to Hold New Paid Family & Medical Leave Portal Webinars
• With Federal Overtime Rule Blocked, Maine Minimum Salary Threshold will be $43,951 for 2025
• MHCA Webinar - Contact DHHS: AL and Res Care Rulemaking
• AHCA Regulatory Update: CMS Issues Final Rule Impacting Nursing Home NHSN Reporting Starting January 1, 2025
• Cheer on the Maine Mariners with MHCA!
• MHCA Awarded Conditional Contract for New Mainer Workforce Project
• Maine College of Health Professions LPN Application Window is Open
• How to Help Residents Vote This Election Season
• DHHS Proposes New Regulations for Assisted Living and Residential Care
• Maine Apprenticeship Program to Hold Inaugural Maine Apprenticeship Summit
• Sara Gagné-Holmes DHHS Commissioner Appointment Confirmed by ME Senate
• From Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services: Training Opportunity Available for Family and Caregivers of Adults Receiving Services Within Section 12, 19, and 96 Programs
• DHHS NF Culture Change Listening Session Recording Available
• Upcoming Webinars on Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Maine Apprenticeship Program Info Session
• 2024 Excellence in Long Term Care Honorees with Facility Names!
• 2024 Excellence in Long Term Care Honorees Announced
• A Discussion on Supporting Culture Change and Staffing Stability in Nursing Homes
• Consider Inviting Your Candidates for a Tour
• Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $14.65 Per Hour in 2025
• MHCA and MHCABS Annual Member Meeting on 9/26 at 4pm
• Maine Department of Labor Releases Revised Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment
• Celebrate Inspiring Generations During National Assisted Living Week
• FTC Non-Competes Ban Update – No Longer Effective Sept. 4th
• Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams: Stay Vigilant
• Excellence in Long Term Care Awards Nominations are Due Tomorrow
• CMS Issues FY 2025 SNF Final Payment Rule
• StrengthenME Worker Resources Still Available
• Excellence in Long Term Care Awards Nominations are Open
• Maine Dept. of Labor and NFIB to hold joint consultation sessions on labor law guidance for small businesses
• It's Election Season - An Excellent Time to Invite Candidates to Your Facility
• AHCA/NCAL will Host a LTC Workforce Webinar Series!
• Maine LTCOP Invited Direct Care Workers to Conference on Sept 17
• American Hospital Association Voices Support In Overturning Federal Staffing Mandate
• Reminder: New Federal Rules on Nondiscrimination in Health Care
• Celebrating Caregivers: A Call for Videos for an Upcoming Conference hosted by LTCOP
• Maine's Essential Care & Support Workforce Partnership to Host a Summit on June 18
• Reminder: Maine Offers Free Front Line Worker Support Through Strengthen ME
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Paid Family and Medical Leave
• From Maine DOL: New USDOL Overtime Rule to Go into Effect July 1
• McKnights Article: Recruiting, retention strategies shared by McKnight’s Women of Distinction
• DOL Extends Overtime Requirements
• Employment Updates: FTC’s Final Non-Compete Rule
• Do you need help understanding regulations related to Psychosocial Harm?
• Nursing Facility Rate Reform Comment Due Monday April 15
• Legislative Update
• AHCA/NCAL's Mark Parkinson Honored with LTPAC Lifetime Impact Award
• Attention Residential Care (PNMI-C) Facilities: CoreQ Resident and Family Satisfaction Survey Pilot
• Potential Scams related to the Change Healthcare Cyberattack
• 2024 Health Workforce Summit REGISTRATION is Open
• Who Will Care Coalition Outcomes So Far
• Legislative Update
• Assisted Living Conference
• Fall Conference: Request for Presentations Reminder
• Over Two Dozen Hospitals Join Who Will Care? Campaign, Urges Legislators to Save Maine’s Long Term Care Facilities from Further Closures
• Requesting Survey Responses from Direct Care Worker on Proposed Education Benefit Bill
• Upcoming Webinar Series
• Update on Federal Legislation on CMS Staffing Minimum Proposal
• MaineCare Provider Enrollment Progress Update
• Special Invitation - Conversation with Dana Connors on MERIT Staff Program
• REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Caring for the Caregivers: Building a Resilient Workforce and Organization
• AHCA NCAL Leads Coalition Letter Urging Support For The Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access To Care Act
• MHCA and Coalition Speaks in Opposition of Governor's Proposed Supplemental Budget
• Division of Licensing and Certification Presents its Initial Temp Nursing Agency Survey Results
• LD 1827 Passes Through Both Chambers
• Member Action Alert: Oppose LD 2214
• Mike McNeil Drawing Results
• Hill Letter for Your Sign On - Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act
• Mike McNeil Drawing Results
• Governor Mills Announces Proposed Supplemental Budget
• Last Chance to Apply for the AHCA/NCAL Diversity Executive Leadership Program
• Legislative Update
• Mike McNeil Scholarship Calendar Drawings
• From NCAL - Share Our Story: Why Residents Love Your Assisted Living Community and Their Caregivers
• McKnights Free Webinar: "Power up retention with an in-house training program"
• Feb. 1 Maine Department of Labor Eligibility Listening Session on Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Update from AHCA: US Senate Aging Committee Hearing on Assisted Living
• Webinar: Preventing COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities
• Survey Deadline Tomorrow: Power of Care Vaccination
• Maine Health Care Association Meets Legislators at Hall of Flags
• Buy Your Mike McNeil Tickets Before it is Too Late!
• MHCA Joins Partners in a Call to Action for Supporting Long Term Care
• BerryDunn Senior Living Summit Virtual Seminar
• RESCHEDULED: MaineCare Provider Enrollment Presentation and Listening Session
• MHCA Partners with LTCOP to Expand the Power of Care Campaign
• A Message from the President & CEO Mark Parkinson
• Nurse aide turnover can be mitigated with scheduling tweaks: study
• New Email Address for Adult Family Care Homes and Private Non-Medical Institutions (PNMI), Level IV, Appendix C
• AHCA/NCAL’s Mark Parkinson and Clifton J. Porter II Recognized as The Hill’s Top Lobbyists 2023 / Porter Named McKnight’s Pinnacle Industry Ally Award
• Exciting Pilot Project Opportunity- PNMI Telehealth Technology Expansion
• A Message from the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce
• CoverME.gov Open Enrollment Toolkit
• Webinar: Best Practices for Attracting & Best Practices for Attracting & Keeping Direct Care Workers
• Important Survey Reminder
• 2023 Excellence in Long Term Care
• Governor Mills Launches “Healing Together” Online Resource to Help Support to Lewiston Victims and Families
• Last Chance to Submit Your Comment Against the Unfunded Staffing Mandate Proposal
• Recent Study: Why Some Employees Prefer Working for a Provider over a Staffing Agency
• Maine Labor Law Updates
• MHCA Represents Long Term Care as the State Reviews and Updates their Economic Strategic Documents
• Senator King Pens Second Letter to CMS to Ask it Withhold Burdensome Staffing Mandate, Need Permanent Workforce Solutions
• A Successful Coffee and Conversation with Senator King
• 2023 Excellence in Long Term Care Honorees Announced
• Maine's Minimum Wage to Increase to $14.15 Per Hour in 2024
• MHCA Town Hall Event: Regulating Temperature in Long Term Care Buildings
• The 2023 McKnight’s Mood of the Market Survey
• US Department of Labor Announces Proposed Overtime Pay Rule
• Maine to Establish an Office of New Americans (ONA)
• New Report Finds Access To Nursing Home Care A Growing Crisis
• Invite Your State Legislators for a Facility Tour!
• Reminder to Nominate for the 2023 Excellence in Long Term Care Awards
• AHCA Summary of FY 2024 SNF Final Payment Rule
• Maine Health Care Association Seeks Member Feedback
• Maine Dept. of Economic and Community Development is Conducting an Employer Talent Attraction Survey
• CareerCenter Apprenticeship Lunch & Learn: August 9
• DHHS Commissioner Lambrew Announces Director for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• AHCA's New Podcast Discusses Workforce Development
• Maine Department of Labor to Start Rulemaking Process in the Fall for Paid Family Medical Leave Program
• Appropriations Committee Advances LD 451 and LD 1474
• Maine's Hire-A-Vet Campaign Starts Soon!
• Thank You for Advocating: The Cap was Removed!
• Community Action Program Training for Providers
• Governor Mills in Press Herald Op-Ed: Why I’m Supporting Paid Family Leave
• June 22, 2023 Legislative Update
• Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention Essay of the Year
• June 15, 2023 Legislative Update
• AHCA Survey - State of the Nursing Home Industry: Survey of 425 nursing home providers highlights persistent staffing and economic crisis
• Help LD 1718 An Act to Encourage Participation in Maine's Essential Support Workforce Through Access to Higher Education Cross the Finish Line
• Maine Attends 2023 AHCA Congressional Briefing in Washington DC
• In The Hill: Parkinson Discusses Solutions To Nursing Home Workforce Crisis Amid Looming Staffing Mandate
• June 1, 2023 Legislative Update
• Homes Across Maine Celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week
• May 25, 2023 Legislative Update
• Efficiency Maine has Resources for Long-Term Care Retrofits
• Congratulations to Phil Cyr on Being Recognized as 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards ‘Setting the Standard’ Honoree
• Reminder: AHCA 2023 Mid-Year Member Survey
• May 18, 2023 Legislative Update
• Workforce Recruitment Resources Available
• Reminder from the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) - Please take action by May 31
• AHCA/NCAL Releases Statement on the End of the Public Health Emergency
• Legislative Update
• Maine Workforce Summit: May 23, 2023
• Legislative Update
• Legislative Update
• Legislative Update
• Age-Positivity – A Public Health Imperative!
• Highlights from Maine’s Healthcare Workforce Strategy
• Legislative Update
• Legislative Update
• 3/30/23 E-News Legislative Update
• MHCA Legislative Update
• Action Alert: Support LD 451 - An Act to Ensure Transparent and Accountable Temporary Nurse Agencies
• MHCA Legislative Update
• Important Notice Regarding MaineCare Eligibility Redeterminations
• Help create leadership in your facility. Please see the flyer to provide an opportunity for direct care workers!
• Infection Prevention Trainings and Resources
• Job Posting Support from Live and Work in Maine
• AHCA/NCAL’s LaShuan Bethea, Holly Harmon Awarded McKnight’s Women of Distinction Recognition
• MaineCare Rate Reform Meetings Have Begun
• CMS Resources on Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce
• MHCA Continues to Work at the State House
• Reminder: Contact CMS about Potential Minimum Staffing Requirements
• Public Health Emergency Ending May 11
• MHCA Advocacy Update: 131st Legislative Session is Off to a Productive Start
• Contact CMS: Minimum Staffing Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Long Term Care Profession Launches National Campaign To Attract More Caregivers
• BerryDunn Seminar: Senior Living Event 2023
• Reminder of NHSN Reporting on Up To Date COVID-19 Vaccination
• Office Hours for Healthcare Training for ME
• Maine House and Senate Announce Committee Assignments
• A Message from the President & CEO Mark Parkinson: CONGRESS PASSES 2023 BUDGET
• Long Term Care a Focus During First Legislative Hearing of the Session
• Improving Maine's COVID-19 Booster Rate for Residents
• Opportunity for Performing an eMDRO Preparedness Prevention Review
• CDC Expands COVID-19 Provider Vaccine Agreements to LTC Facilities
• 1/5/23: Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Webinar on The Power of Care
• Summary from ME DHHS/CDC COVID LTC Call
• Complete AHCA/NCAL’s State of the Industry Survey
• Webinar: Preparing for Respiratory Viruses featuring Dr. Ashish Jha
• AHCA/NCAL’s Mark Parkinson Named To The Hill’s "Top Lobbyists 2022" List
• ‘Cultivating Kindness’ Announced as Theme for National Skilled Nursing Care Week 2023
• In Case You Missed It - CDC Refresher Training: Up-to-Date Vaccination Status
• Half of Mainers over 65 have received Covid boosters
• Biden Administration Announces Campaign To Boost COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Among Nursing Home Residents
• Due November 15: AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Intent to Apply
• 2022 Election Day Recap
• Upcoming Changes to Reporting Requirements for Nursing Facilities
• Maine College of Health Professions LPN Cohort Enrollment
• 2022 Legislative Champion Awards
• HHS Invests $13 Million to Grow and Strengthen the Nursing Workforce
• Maine Nurse Wins 2022 Assisted Living Nurse of The Year Award