Skip Maine state header navigation
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Dirigo
Partners With Nonprofit |
|
| Dirigo
Health Wins Court Case: Savings Confirmed Cumberland County Superior Court Justice Roland Cole unanimously ruled in favor of Dirigo Health on all three counts brought against it. Justice Cole’s ruling confirms that Dirigo Health saved $43.7 million in the health care system in its first year and that the Savings Offset Payment is both constitutional and “not a tax.” |
|
| Governor's
Health Office Awarded Grant to Develop Worksite Wellness Program The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance has been awarded a $93,000 grant from the National Governors’ Association (NGA) to develop and implement a worksite wellness program for small businesses. Maine is one of 13 states to receive a grant, which is part of the NGA’s Healthy America initiative. |
|
| Dirigo
Health Saves $34.3 Million in Second Year - $78 Million Saved Over Two
Years Governor John Baldacci today said that he was pleased that Bureau of Insurance Superintendent Alessandro Iuppa declared that there were $34.3 million in savings to Maine’s healthcare system attributed to Dirigo Health in the second year. |
|
| Governor
Names Members of Blue Ribbon Commission on Dirigo Health The Commission will make recommendations by December 15, 2006, to expand and improve the DirigoChoice program. Governor John Baldacci announced creation of the Commission through Executive Order on May 24, 2006. |
|
| Governor's
Statement on the Passing of Charlene Rydell Governor John Baldacci expressed his deepest sympathy to the family of Charlene Rydell upon learning of her passing. Rydell of Brunswick was a long time advocate for low-income families and for health care for Mainers. She served in the Legislature for over a decade and served as a member of the Dirigo Health Board of Directors. |
|
| Governor
Signs Executive Order on Dirigo Health Reform Governor Baldacci announced creation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Dirigo Health. The Commission will make recommendations with respect to long-term funding and cost containment methods to continue the efforts of Dirigo Health in increasing the affordability, accessibility and quality of health care for the people of Maine. |
|
| Dirigo
Health Recognized for Excellence in Government Dirigo Health Reform has been recognized as one of the top eighteen government innovations for 2006. the Council for Excellence in Government, notes that Dirigo Health and the other finalists are “uniquely smart, creative, and effective” and that they “have created better, results-oriented efforts that improve the lives of countless people across the USA.” |
|
| Governor
Unveils 2007 State Health Plan: The Roadmap to Better Health Kicking off National Public Health Week, Governor John Baldacci today released the first biennial State Health Plan. The State Health Plan reaffirms the importance of Dirigo Health Reform’s comprehensive reach to reduce costs, improve quality and increase access for all Maine citizens. |
|
| Dirigo
Health Named a Top 50 Government Innovation for 2006 The honor, bestowed by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government – in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government - recognizes the comprehensive Dirigo Health program’s reach and effectiveness. |
|
| Governor
Outlines Proposal to Expand Dirigo Health Noting that the Dirigo Health Program now has a sizeable enrollment and significant claims experience, Governor Baldacci proposed new legislation that would allow Dirigo to be offered as a self-insured product, which would help aid the design of a more competitive and affordable plan and marketing. |
|
| Governor
Applauds Superintendent’s Decision on DirigoChoice Governor John Baldacci lauded the decision by the Superintendent of Insurance to deny the request by the Maine Association of Health Plans that would have prohibited the assessment of the savings offset payment pending by the Dirigo Health Agency. In making his ruling, the Superintendent held that the Association failed to meet all three legal criteria required to stop the assessment. |
|
| Dirigo
Agency Board Votes to Grow DirigoChoice The Dirigo Health Agency Board of Directors voted to assess the full $43.7 million in savings from Dirigo Health initiatives to continue the landmark Dirigo Health program. The assessment will be made beginning in 2006 and represents 2.408% of insurers' paid claims. |
|
Governor's
Health Office Releases Draft State Health Plan for Public Comment |
|
| Governor
Calls on Health Insurers to Share Dirigo Health Savings Governor John Baldacci, joined by Legislative leadership, concerned citizens and consumer advocates, called on insurers to renew their pledge to share the $43.7 million in savings realized by Dirigo Health. Last Saturday, the Superintendent of Insurance independently ruled that Dirigo Health was responsible for this substantial savings. |
|
|
Governor Hails Superintendent's Ruling Showing Dirigo Savings Governor Baldacci hailed Superintendent of Insurance Al Iuppa’s independent ruling showing nearly $44 million in Dirigo Health savings to the health care system. The Superintendent ruled that the savings are "recoverable" and insurers and providers should negotiate "in good faith" to pass the savings through to consumers. |
|
| Development
Council increases DirigoChoice subsidy program for qualifying small businesses
in Greater Franklin County Greater Franklin Development Council announced that the Franklin DirigoChoice Incentive Program is increasing the DirigoChoice health insurance subsidy from 20% to 30% in year one and from 10% to 15% in year two. The health insurance subsidy application deadline has also been extended through June 2006. The increase will apply retroactively for current subsidy participants.vernor |
|
Governor
Celebrates Dirigo Health Reform's 2nd Anniversary - Announces New Quality
Initiative |
|
| Governor's
Health Office issues report: State of Maine's Health The Report compiles data from numerous sources to describe the current of Maine’s health status and health care system, highlighting differences across the state. The report will help focus priorities for taking action to improve health and health care in Maine. |
|
Governor's
Office to Hold "Health Care Listening Tour" Please click here for the schedule of forums |
|
| Survey
Confirms DirigoChoice Meets Need for Affordable Health Care A survey of early DirigoChoice adopters shows that DirigoChoice is meeting the need for more affordable and better quality health coverage. The survey was conducted by the Muskie School of Public Service and sought to get a better idea of who enrolled during the first three months of DirigoChoice. The survey found that a majority of respondents were either uninsured or under-insured, meaning they faced high deductibles or gaps in coverage. |
|
Grant
Awarded to Penobscot Indian Nation for PIN Rx |
|
| DirigoChoice
Helping More Working Families Governor Baldacci, joined by Legislative leaders, the CEO of Franklin Memorial Hospital, parents and DirigoChoice businesses announced that 6,369 Maine people are enrolled in DirigoChoice as of May 1st. And, parents with children on MaineCare and with incomes up to 200% of federal eligibility levels will now be eligible for MaineCare. |
|
| DirigoChoice
Continues Strong Enrollment DirigoChoice, the new Dirigo Health coverage program, increased its members to 5,263 for the April 1st enrollment period. DirigoChoice is offered by a collaboration between the Dirigo Health Agency and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine. |
|
| Hospital
Commission Release Final Report The Commission to Study Maine's Hospitals's report is the result of 14 months of extensive study and contains recommendations to strengthen Maine's hospitals and make quality hospital care more affordable and accessible to all Maine citizens. |
|
Governor's
Office Releases MaineCare Fact Book |
|
| DirigoChoice Coverage Celebrated by Maine Businesses- Several Maine businesses joined Governor John E. Baldacci and representatives from the Dirigo Health Agency, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine and the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance to mark the beginning of DirigoChoice coverage on January 1, 2005. | |
Hospital Commission Release Draft Report for Public Comment - December 22, 2004, the Hospital Commission released its draft report containing recommendations to make quality hospital care more affordable and accessible to all Maine citizens. The Commission held public hearings in early January and is working to present a final report to the Legislature. |
|
| Hospital Financial Performance Report - November 22, 2004, the Hospital Commission received a report from Dr. Nancy Kane of the Harvard School of Public Health on the financial performance of Maine's Hospitals. | |
| Press Release - Maine Quality Forum Website Goes Live - Found at www.mainequalityforum.gov, the MQF website offers tools and information to help people get "the right care, the right way, at the right time." | |
| Press Release - Dirigo Health has Successful First Year - September 13, 2004 marked the one year anniversary of Dirigo Health becoming law. A progress report was prepared to mark the anniversary. | |
| Press Release - New Director of Dirigo Health Agency Takes the Helm | |
| Press Release - Governor Announces DirigoChoice Agreement - The State and Anthem reach agreement on Anthem's bid to carry the Dirigo Health Plan, now called DirigoChoice. | |
| Press Release - Ad Campaign to Raise Awareness of Dirigo Health Reform | |
| Press Release - Capital Investment Fund Calculated and Public Hearing Scheduled - The amount of the Capital Investment Fund is proposed and public comment is sought. | |
Press Release - State Health Plan Released - A requirement of the Dirigo Health Reform Act, the Plan sets out specific goals to bring down costs, improve quality and increase access to health care for all Maine citizens. |
|
| Press Release - Governor's Office Issues Emergency Rules to Establish Capital Investment Fund After Significant Public Input - The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance has issued emergency rules to establish the Capital Investment Fund (CIF). | |
| Press release - Dirigo Health Plan Receives Bid from Anthem - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine has submitted a bid to partner with the Dirigo Health Agency and administer the Dirigo Health Plan. | |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
| Dirigo Health Speeches | |
| Governor Baldacci signs Dirigo Health Into Law | June 18, 2003 |
| Trish Riley Testifies on Behalf of Dirigo Health before the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform | May 15, 2003 |
| Governor Baldacci Unveils the Dirigo Health Act | May 5, 2003 |
Additional Sources of Information
To make information on Maine's and the nation's health care systems more accessible, we have collected here some of the most comprehensive online health care data and research sources from in-state and out-of-state. Additionally, reports created by the Office of Health Policy and Finance, the Health Action Team and its Subcommittees can be accessed here.
| • | Understanding MaineCarre: A Chartbook about Maine's Medicaid Program |
| • | Dirigo Health Reform One Year Anniversary Report (PDF 171 KB) |
| • | Price-Posting and Average Statewide Charges (PDF) |
| • | Dirigo Health Reform Narrative - Original Governor's Proposal (PDF 1.15MB) |
| • | Dirigo
Health Reform Brochure (PDF 520K) |
| • | 2004-2005 State Health Plan (PDF 764K) |
| • | Hospital Financial Performance Report (PDF 116K) |
| • | Hospital Finances - A 10-year Analysis (PDF 136K) |
| • | GOHPF Workshop - Documenting Cost Savings (PDFs 228K & 27K) |
| • | Capital Investment Fund Rulemaking (PDFs 104K, 16K & 48K) |
| • | MaineCare
Basic - Filling the MaineCare Budget Shortfall - To fill a projected
MaineCare budget shortfall of $127 million in the 2005 State Fiscal Year
starting July 1, 2004, the administration proposed MaineCare Basic: a
redesign of the MaineCare program designed to maintain member eligibility
for comprehensive services. |
| • | Reimportation of Prescription Drugs (PDF 108K) |
