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Grading the States 2009 Report Card: Maine
In 2006, Maine’s mental health system received a grade of B. Three years later, the grade remains the same. Even so, during the past three years, Maine has responded to budget shortfalls by cutting Medicaid and services for people with serious mental illnesses. Full narrative (PDF).
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Health Promotion and Measurement: B 25% of Total Grade
Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices,
emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds by setting.
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Financing & Core Treatment/Recovery Services: B 45% of Total Grade
A variety of financing measures, such as whether Medicaid reimburses providers for all, or part of evidence-based practices; and more.
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Consumer & Family Empowerment: B 15% of Total Grade
Includes measures such as consumer and family access to essential information from the
state, promotion of consumer-run programs, and family and peer education and support.
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Community Integration and Social Inclusion: B 15% of Total Grade
Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.
Innovations
- Co-occurring disorder initiatives
- Integration of mental health, substance abuse, and primary care
- Young offender reentry program
- Medical homes
Urgent Needs
- Leadership by governor and Department of Health and Human Services
- Services for aging population
- Cultural competence plan
- Increase mental health workforce in rural areas
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"The focus is on keeping the patients coming and going in 15-minute billable increments."
"It took me six weeks to find someone who accepts Medicaid."
"ACT has been my saving grace navigating me through the system. [In] voc rehab ... I felt like I was respected, listened to, and supported to meet my work goals. I was asked, not told"
