Priorities
To achieve our mission, MeHAF uses grantmaking, program support and staff resources to advance four strategic priorities. To receive funding announcements related to each of our priorities sign up for our e-newsletter, AccessPoints, on our homepage. You can also view current funding opportunities.
Advancing Health System Reform: Everyone in Maine deserves access to affordable, high quality health care to ensure better health. MeHAF supports key strategies and policy changes that expand access to more affordable health insurance, promote better value and quality through payment reforms, and offer better coordination and collaboration between the health care delivery systems and community resources. We also support public education and outreach so Maine people clearly understand the facts and impact of changes in health care policy. Many of our initiatives align and leverage opportunities, resources and policy improvements offered within national and state-level health system reform efforts.
Promoting Patient Centered Care: People tell us the health care system lacks organization, is difficult to navigate, and hard to understand. This is particularly an issue for those who are uninsured. MeHAF continues to promote more patient-centered and seamless care, particularly through the coordination and integration of primary care with behavioral health, dental care, specialty care, and other services. A centerpiece of our work is the Integration Initiative, a ten year, $10 million commitment to promote better patient-centered care by improving coordination and seamless care delivery between behavioral health and primary care.
Improving Access to Quality Care: Affordable coverage with access to quality health care is increasingly out of reach for many Maine families and businesses. This is particularly the case when Maine's economy is struggling. As the number of uninsured rises, tremendous pressure is placed on Medicaid (MaineCare) and other programs designed to meet the needs of people with low incomes. MeHAF program and grant funding brings providers, social service agencies, advocacy organizations and other community groups together to assist those who are eligible to enroll in all available private and public programs, and to help those who are uninsured find quality, coordinated services through local safety net providers.
Achieving Better Health in Communities: Good health requires more than just receiving quality health care services. People need resources and support in their communities to sustain and improve health. Working with other funders, MeHAF is reaching out to community leaders and stakeholders to learn how we can partner with them to promote better health. This outreach will guide programs and grantmaking aimed at supporting fully integrated, collaborative community-based strategies to improve health in the coming years.