Public Hearings Next Week on Draft State Health Plan

Public hearings will be held next week to allow comment on the preliminary state health plan recently released by the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance.

The biennial plan is mandated by the Dirigo Health Reform Act of 2003, and is characterized as a roadmap for improving Mainers’ access to high-quality health care while holding down costs, with a long-term goal of making Maine the healthiest state in the nation.

Elements of the health plan include increasing personal responsibility for maintaining health, strengthening the public health system, decreasing the number of Maine residents without medical insurance, standardizing treatment protocols and regulating new investments in medical technology and facilities.

The health plan may be viewed online at www.dirigohealth.maine.gov.

The public hearings will be held according to the following schedule:

. Lewiston – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21, Lewiston/Auburn Campus of the University of Southern Maine, 51 Westminster St.;

. Brewer – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 21, Jeff’s Catering, East West Industrial Park, 5 Coffin Ave.;

. Portland – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22, University of Southern Maine’s Portland Campus, Hannaford Hall in the Abramson Building.

In addition to the hearings, comments may be submitted to the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Comments may be mailed to the Office at GOHPF, 15 SHS, Augusta, ME, 04333-0015 or by e-mail to gohpf@maine.gov.