The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74676

Charlene Rydell, Office of Congressman Tom Allen and Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance, 234 Oxford Street, Portland, ME 04101, 207-774-5019, Charlene.Rydell@mail.house.gov

Maine's healthcare system has much to herald: low infant mortality, few infectious disease cases, low premature death rate, and hospitals ranking high in quality assessments. Yet Maine has alarming statistics about health status, access and costs. Many citizens report not seeing a doctor due to costs; rates of preventable illnesses exceed national averages; health insurance premiums are among the highest in the nation; and Maine's hospital costs are significantly higher than both the US average and the Northeast. This presentation will discuss how Maine's new Governor, John Baldacci, worked with consumers, providers, insurers, and business to pass comprehensive legislation that will make affordable, quality health care available to every Maine citizen within 5 years and initiate new processes for cost containment and quality improvement.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will gain knowledge about the specific provisions of Dirigo Health, the financing mechanisms, including Medicaid expansions, and the process of bringing all constituencies together to achieve passage of the legislation with 2/3 majorities in both chambers of the Legislature.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.