Priorities
MeHAF directs its program, grantmaking and staff resources to advance four strategic priorities in pursuit of our mission. To receive funding announcements related to these 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 improve and preserve their health. MeHAF supports key strategies and policy changes that expand access to more affordable health insurance, promote better quality and value through payment reforms, and offer better coordination and collaboration between the health care delivery systems and community resources. Many of our initiatives align with 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 a problem 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. Moving forward, our programs and funding will offer new opportunities to coordinate care, especially for older people, those with chronic illnesses, and people with disabling conditions.
Improving Access to Quality Care: Affordable coverage with access to quality health care is increasingly out of reach for many Maine families and businesses. The growing number of both uninsured people and people who can't find or afford care places tremendous pressure on Medicaid (MaineCare) and other programs designed to meet these needs. 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: Achieving better health requires more than the delivery of clinical care. People need resources and support within their communities to sustain and improve health. In 2011-2012, MeHAF will convene key leaders and stakeholders while conducting an environmental scan to better define and understand how clinical health care is aligned with broader community resources. This work will guide upcoming programs and grantmaking aimed at supporting fully integrated, collaborative community-based strategies to improve health.