AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci’s Office of Health Policy and Finance is bringing its statewide Health Care Listening Tour to Lewiston on Monday. The forum is one of five statewide. The Lewiston meeting is designed for residents in central and western Maine.
Trish Riley, director of the Office of Health Policy and Finance, said the state wants to hear from everyone before the so-called State Health Plan is developed, which will identify health priorities for the state.
“This is our attempt to hear people articulate those areas that, if we all work together, Maine could make substantial improvements in the health of Mainers and the costs,” Riley said.
Two examples of areas improved or being worked on is infant mortality and smoking.
Maine now ranks among the top states for low numbers of infant mortality. But in the late 1970s, Maine ranked 50th, Riley said. Then Maine Department of Human Services Commissioner Michael Petit proclaimed war on infant mortality, Riley said. Working with hospitals and providers, Maine turned that problem around.
Another area being worked on is smoking. “We don’t have it licked, but the Coalition on Smoking or Health has done great work,” Riley said. When those things happen, it’s good for the economy, it’s good for citizens who become healthier, and it reduces everyone’s costs, Riley said.
The two-year State Health Plan being developed is a critical part of the Dirigo reform, Riley said. While the Dirigo Choice insurance piece is important, the bigger picture is for Dirigo to reform Maine’s health system and change behaviors, to improve health and lower costs, Riley said.
Residents will also be asked to tell what they think are the best ways to bring down the growth of health care costs, make care the best quality, and provide access for all.
The forum begins at 11 a.m. at Lewiston-Auburn College and will go until 1 p.m. on Sept. 12. Other listening tour forums have been held in Brewer, Presque Isle and Calais. Another will be held Monday night in Augusta, and more are scheduled in Portland and Saco on Sept. 15.
After collecting feedback from the forums, a draft of the health plan will be given this fall to the legislative Health and Human Services Committee.
The plan is expected to be developed later this year.
Those who cannot attend Monday’s forum may offer input by calling 624-7442, or e-mailing [email protected].
Comments are no longer available on this story