Maine Receives Federal Grant to Study Ways to Expand Access to Care

Maine has received one of 11 federal grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration to study ways to lower the state's number of uninsured people, the AP/Portland Press Herald reports. The Maine Department of Human Services and the Muskie School of Public Service will use the grant, which totals nearly $1.3 million, to determine how to expand residents' access to care. Maine Human Services Commissioner Kevin Concannon, said, "One of the criteria for the grant was the degree to which each state has developed successful initiatives regarding public health," adding that the state has reduced its rates of teen pregnancy and youth smoking. Concannon also pointed to the Healthy Maine Prescriptions Program, calling it "one of the most effective discount initiatives in the country." According to the state health department, more than 200,000 residents receive health insurance through Medicaid and MaineCare, the state's insurance program for low-income families (AP/Portland Press Herald, 7/11).