PORTLAND, Maine - A key component of getting health care costs under control is minimizing the amount of paperwork in the system. Later this year, Maine will take a step in the right direction when the state's health information exchange is ready for online testing. The system will give most Mainers online access to their health records.

Devore Culver is the CEO of HealthInfoNet, the organization overseeing the project.

"The health information exchange in this state is going to open up connection this year to consumers - to patients - so they can see their own information."

The data collection system has been in place for three years, but this summer there will be a pilot program giving some consumer access to it, with the hope of a statewide rollout at the end of the year. The system was funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Culver says great pains have been taken to make sure the system is secure before the public launch. It will help save money in a number of different ways, Culver adds, including cutting down on unnecessary tests.

"If the provider actively uses the structure, it can help avoid repeating tests and repeating things that are perhaps counter-indicated."

Culver says currently about 70 percent of the state's residents have some information in the system. Using the network, providers can share information about a patient, such as drug allergies, prescriptions, medical conditions, and lab and test results.



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Indiana is stepping up its fight against addiction with a boost from an opioid settlement fund.

The money comes from a $54 billion 2021 Opioid Settlement Fund created by manufacturers, distributors and retailers to address their role in the nation's opioid epidemic. Indiana will receive $508 million from the fund over the next several years.

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has announced its grantees.

Amy Chaudion, founder of LIFEhouse Recovery for Women Noblesville, is a recipient. She said the grant will help drive her organization.

"This money goes toward helping with our transportation needs," Chaudion explained. "We run three LIFEhouse vans to get all of the ladies to work, 12-step meetings, therapy, doctors' appointments and so, this funding helps with the fuel."

LIFEhouse received $21,000. The organization opened in 2017 and served four women in its first year. Today, LIFEhouse serves up to 24 women. Several other Hamilton County organizations also received funding including: The Recovery Café, Delta Mental Health Services, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, Suburban North Club and JRNY Counseling.

Chaudion noted her nonprofit is committed to making a significant impact on the fight against addiction.

"Our house comes alongside those that are coming from detox centers, prisons, jail, things like that," Chaudion pointed out. "We give them all the resources they need to overcome the barriers: driving and financial things and helping them get jobs and things like that."

The announcement of grantees is the first round of awards distributed by the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Chaudion encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to seek help.


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A diagnosis of diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and even death.

The School of Public Health at Indiana University-Indianapolis is close to completing a project to improve the health of three neighborhoods. The Diabetes Impact Project works in the Northeast, near Northwest, and Near West neighborhoods in Indianapolis, where rates of diabetes are almost double other parts of Marion County.

Lisa Staten, associate professor of community and global health at the university, said the project's three-tier approach involves community health workers assisting people with diabetes in managing their diet and glucose monitoring, while also addressing their social needs.

"The community health workers work with them to understand, is there a food security issue? Are there challenges with housing?" Staten explained. "We also have neighborhood community health workers that are located in these three parts of the city, to help raise awareness about diabetes prevention and diabetes risk."

The third tier, which Staten described as the most direct, is made up of steering committees, funding projects to improve physical activity infrastructure and healthy food access, address mental health concerns and build social connections. According to the Indiana Department of Health, about 12% of Hoosiers are diabetic.

The $12 million eight-year program is a partnership with the Fairbanks School of Public Health, Eli Lilly and Company, Eskenazi Health and the Marion County Health Department. One component was to have a federally qualified health center located in each of the areas for more community-based involvement.

Staten pointed out diverse neighborhood input was sought prior to the project's funding.

"We approached community residents and asked what they wanted to see in it," Staten recounted. "They said they don't want a one-year project. 'We don't want you to come in and take our data and go. It needs to be a long-term commitment.' And we listened to that and incorporated all that into it."

Despite the pandemic, which happened during the project, Staten added the researchers were able to continue their work. The findings will be published in academic journals and public forums for the community to see its impact.


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A North Carolina woman is speaking out about the importance of the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

DonnaMarie Woodson, who battled cancer during the 2008 recession when her husband lost his job, credits the Affordable Care Act for providing vital health insurance for her family. Enrolling in the federal program allowed Woodson to undergo regular screenings, leading to the early detection of colon and breast cancer.

Now, Woodson is urging lawmakers to protect important health care programs.

"The Affordable Care Act literally saved my life," Woodson asserted. "Because I would not have gone to get screened because of medical debt."

She pointed out the Inflation Reduction Act has also had a profound effect on her family, particularly in managing her husband's Type 1 diabetes. She said the measure's insulin cap helped reduce the cost of his medicine from $200 to $35. It has made a significant difference for their fixed income household.

According to Tufts University, the Affordable Care Act has been challenged in court more than 2,000 times. The Inflation Reduction Act has also met its
fair share of pushback and votes to repeal different provisions in the law.

Woodson argued if the programs are not protected, it could pose severe risks to people across the country.

"People's lives are at stake. People will die," Woodson stressed. "That is a plain fact without health care, quality affordable care, not just in your care but quality affordable care. People need that and it's a right."

Today, Woodson's story extends beyond her personal experiences. She actively works with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to lobby for health care rights, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining and expanding health care programs. She encouraged others to share their own experiences in their communities and make their voices heard by local leaders.


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