Reports + Research
Access to Care Among Rural Adults in Maine
December 2022
Featuring BRFSS data from 2015 - 2019, this brief discusses the impact factors such as socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and insurance coverage affect health care use in the most rural parts of Maine. It further examines how affordability and availability of care can affect access to timely service use.
Please note data and findings in this brief predate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State of Health in Maine: A 20-year Retrospective
August 2021
In acknowledgment of its 20th anniversary in 2020, the Maine Health Access Foundation collaborated with University of Southern Maine faculty and staff to prepare this review of health and health care access in Maine over the past 20 years. In addition to telling a story about Maine’s demographic and health care landscape, this document provides data to celebrate the state’s accomplishments and identify ongoing and emerging areas of health concern. Some challenges, such as health care affordability, reflect broad national trends as well as Maine-specific concerns. Other data points illustrate disproportionate access challenges experienced by certain members of our communities, including individuals with low income or mental health challenges; those working for small business; Black, Indigenous and other populations of color; and, sexual and gender minorities.
Behavioral Health and Access to Care Among Adults in Maine
February 2021
This brief examines disparities in access to health care services and mental health treatment among Maine adults based on Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from years 2015-2017. The brief compares access to health care services and mental health treatment by self-reported measures of mental health status, specifically respondents’ experiences of depressive symptoms and mentally unhealthy days. In addition, the brief examines access to health care among individuals who report prescription drug misuse and heavy alcohol use.
Key Findings and Recommendations from MeHAF’s 2020 Grantee and Applicant Perception Survey
February 2021
Roughly every five years MeHAF participates in a Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) Grantee and Application Perception Survey. The survey allows MeHAF applicants and grantees the opportunity to give anonymous feedback about their experiences working at every stage of the grant process with MeHAF.
The 2020 report highlights a number of successes as well as opportunities for growth. We were pleased by the overall positive perception of MeHAF as a funder and the positive response to our expanding unrestricted grantmaking. We will also work to respond to suggestions around restructuring our approach to evaluation and deepening our understanding of grantee organizations and communities.
If there are questions about the results feel free to contact us.
Re-imagining Residential Care “Think Group”
December 2020
A Think Group convened by the Maine Health Access Foundation over the course of the past year was tasked with creating a new vision for residential care supporting older adults and individuals with physical disabilities. The group articulated a vision for residential care that includes the following attributes: autonomy for individuals and safety for all, person-centered supports based on individual needs and preferences, home-like environments with private and shared spaces, actual and virtual connections to the community, inclusion of persons with diverse backgrounds and cultures, quality measures that reflect what is important to residents, and continuity and stability as a result of staff retention.
Sociodemographic and Health Status Characteristics of Maine’s Newly Eligible Medicaid Beneficiaries
September 2019
This data brief developed by MeHAF and the University of Southern Maine explores Maine’s newly eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. The report discusses the sociodemographic aspects of the new population, including current health status, age, and locations.
Access to Health Care Services for Adults in Maine
November 2018
This data brief developed by MeHAF and the University of Southern Maine found ongoing inequality in the ability of people in Maine to get quality health care. The report examines data from 2014-2016 and shows that Maine people, of all income groups, report difficulties in paying medical costs. Research has also found the ability to seek timely and appropriate health care is impacted by income levels, educational background, race, and ethnicity.
Delaying Care Due to Lack of Access to Transportation Data Brief
July 2018
This report was compiled using data from the 2014-2016 Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. The analysis examines responses to a survey question that asked respondents if they had delayed medical care for a non-cost reason in the past 12 months.
Low-Income, Uninsured Mainers Face Substantial Challenges Getting Health Care
March 2018
This data brief from MeHAF and the University of Southern Maine highlights the access to care challenges faced by Maine people with lower incomes who do not have health insurance. Focusing on adults age 18 – 64 with incomes below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (in 2018, about $22,715 per year for a family of two), the report shows that people without insurance have trouble finding doctors, getting appointments, and paying for care.
Maine Rural Health Innovations Briefs
September 2017
This series of briefs was produced in conjunction with the Maine Rural Health Research Center to describe robust and innovative models and strategies from Maine and other parts of the country related to the areas of health finance and payment, governance, workforce, and service delivery that have the potential to be replicated or adapted here in Maine.
The briefs include information about FQHCs, delivery of services, behavioral health, governance, workforce, and payment models.
Charting a Pathway Forward: Redesigning and Realigning Supports and Services for Maine’s Older Adults
September 2017
The report profiles older people in Maine presenting both current data and future projections, then outlines the long term services and support systems and programs currently in place and the funding streams used to pay for those services. The report identifies a range of opportunities and potential avenues for improvement and highlights the importance of state policy decisions to drive change.
Mental Health Status and Access to Health Care Services for Adults in Maine
February 2017
Using the Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the years 2012-2014, this brief examines disparities in access to health care services for Maine adults based on self-reported mental health status.
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