Last Thursday, August 29th, Maine DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew, Ph.D. and Maine Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa co-hosted an event entitled, "All In:  A Forum on Health Care Coverage and Affordability in Maine." The Forum took place at the DHHS office in Portland and featured panels of state and national experts in health policy addressing the following panel topics: New Insurance Options; State Innovation (1332) Waivers, Reinsurance, and Related Strategies; Health Insurance Marketplace Options; Controlling Costs; and The National Context. 

Commissioner Lambrew welcomed a the stakeholder representatives from the health care practitioner and provider community; health insurance carriers; small and large business groups; health care purchasers; employee benefits experts and insurance producers; legislators; and consumer interests.  Governor Mills joined Commissioner Lambrew in closing remarks for the Forum. 

The evening news carried the Mills Administration's announcement of its intention to develop a state exchange under the ACA, an initiative that will produce a more capable web-based marketplace for Mainers to explore their health insurance options. The Forum was timely because the legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance & Financial Services Committee soon will begin a series of meetings to discuss several health care reform bills carried over to the Second Regular Session of this legislature. The Forum also was carried on Facebook Live.

MMA members will have an opportunity to hear more about the Mills Administration's views on health care in our state at the 166th Annual Session in Bar Harbor this weekend. The keynote presentation beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7th will feature Governor Mills; Commissioner Lambrew; Director of Opioid Response Gordon Smith; Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, M.D., J.D.; and DHHS Senior Advisor for Delivery System Change Lisa Letourneau, M.D., M.P.H.