April 25, 2008
New state health plan released
Governor John Baldacci and an advisory council have released a biennial state health plan for 2008-2009 that aims to slow the growth in health care spending.
The report, which is required by Maine's Dirigo Health reform law, finds that nearly 37%, or $1.2 billion, of health care spending increases between 1998 and 2005 were often caused by preventable chronic illnesses. Maine also supplies more MRIs and staffed hospital beds than the national average, and excess capacity drives up costs while not necessarily improving patient outcomes, according to a press release on the report.
The plan proposes numerous actions, including developing regional health plans, implementing a pilot program to create patient-centered medical homes focusing on preventative medicine, investigating Maine's high emergency room use to recommend possible solutions and increasing Mainers' access to telemedicine. View the full report here.
The report, which is required by Maine's Dirigo Health reform law, finds that nearly 37%, or $1.2 billion, of health care spending increases between 1998 and 2005 were often caused by preventable chronic illnesses. Maine also supplies more MRIs and staffed hospital beds than the national average, and excess capacity drives up costs while not necessarily improving patient outcomes, according to a press release on the report.
The plan proposes numerous actions, including developing regional health plans, implementing a pilot program to create patient-centered medical homes focusing on preventative medicine, investigating Maine's high emergency room use to recommend possible solutions and increasing Mainers' access to telemedicine. View the full report here.
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