Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Charles Dwyer, Director

What's New

A Plan for Improving Rural Health in Maine

Background:

Maine is a rural state, with a large proportion of the population living in areas designated rural by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Health care personnel are more difficult to recruit and retain in rural areas. Small populations limit their practices. They may be long distances from hospitals where they can treat patients and consult with colleagues. They may find it difficult to keep up with changing technology, to know about changes in resources for patients. The facilities for their personal lives may not meet the needs of an individual and a family.

Residents who are a considerable distance from health care facilities may be hindered from getting care by problems with child care or elder care, lack of transportation, and with purchasing medications, special equipment, and services associated with health care, such as occupational therapy, rehabilitation care, or home care.

The Program:

The Maine Office of Rural Health and Primary Care manages health personnel recruitment and retention programs; provides technical assistance for communities to receive grants to improve the health care system, and facilitates communication on health care issues affecting rural and underserved communities. The Office gathers and analyzes data to assess resources and makes recommendations for filling gaps and increasing access to primary medical care, behavioral health and oral health care services for underserved areas and populations.

Our Priorities:

Increase resources and reduce costs for health care statewide;
Establish and maintain communication among stakeholders in rural health;
Reduce barriers that prevent access to health care services;
Improve quality and access to primary medical, behavioral and oral health care.

Who We Serve:

The health care providers and consumers of Maine who live or work in rural and underserved communities.

What We Do:

Survey health care employers in underserved areas periodically to determine the need for health care providers and refer all inquiring providers to appropriate vacancies.
Co-Coordinate the Rural Medical Access Program (RMAP) for family practice and OB/GYN physicians in underserved areas;
Participate in state, regional and national rural health initiatives; convene forums on health care issues; participate in task groups that plan, address, and improve the availability of services to rural and underserved populations;
Administer the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program and the Small Hospital Improvement Program;
Provide technical assistance to rural and/or underserved communities, health care organizations and providers;
Identify geographic areas and populations that are in need of additional health care professionals or services and recommend those areas for federal shortage area designation;
Administer the Maine State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP);
Represent the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) in Maine; Provide TA to NHSC participants & sites;
Coordinate the internationally trained physician J1 visa waiver option program (Conrad State 30);

Funding Sources:

The U.S. Health Resources Services Administration; The Maine Dept of Health and Human Services; The Maine Dept of Professional & Financial Regulation; The Finance Authority of Maine.

Budget:

$788,883 (Federal Funds); $531,874 (State Match Funds)

Staff Count:

4.0 FTE

For Information Contact:

Charles Dwyer, Director
286 Water Street, 6th Floor
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Telephone: 207-287-5524
TTY: 1-800-606-0215
Fax: 207-287-5431
E-mail: charles.dwyer@maine.gov

Publications:

A Plan for Improving Rural Health in Maine (pdf file)
If you would like to comment on this draft of the Rural Health Plan please forward your input to charles.dwyer@maine.gov

Health Care Workforce Leadership Council Final Report (pdf file)