PRESQUE ISLE — A look at the changing world of health insurance, and plans to merge economic development organizations in the region highlight the Aroostook Partnership for Progress/LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development annual meeting at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Edmunds Conference Center at Northern Maine Community College.
“It is important to have an annual meeting to reinforce to all the Partnership investors the focus and priorities we share under the Mobilize Northern Maine economic strategy and to review the progress that has been made from our efforts over the last year,” said APP President Bob Dorsey. “Also of interest is an update on efforts to merge APP and LEAD into one organization.”
Work has been ongoing for the past six months to have all functions and finances of the organizations combined for greater efficiencies and to ease meeting requirements for companies that invest in both APP and LEAD.
“One team, one private sector segment, one expanded board of directors, greater collaboration among economic development organizations, inclusion of the Loring Development Authority and Southern Aroostook Development Corporation — these are some of the attributes that will make the Partnership a better focused effort,” Dorsey explained. “Most of the comments I am hearing from investors indicate they are happy with this direction and wish this had happened earlier.”
Also on the agenda is a keynote address from Kevin Lewis on how the health insurance world has evolved and what employers need to know about future changes. His talk is entitled, “Coverage, Care & Costs: A New Start Health Plan Perspective.”
Lewis is the CEO of Community Health Options (Health Options), a private, non-profit health plan that is partnering with consumers, businesses and health professionals to achieve the Triple Aim. Health Options is a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) and offers a range of qualified health plans both on and off the Health Insurance Marketplace for individuals, families and businesses throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
Prior to starting Health Options, Lewis was the CEO of the Maine Primary Care Association (MPCA), the statewide organization of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from 2002-12. From 2000-02, he was the director of continuing care at the Maine Hospital Association. He previously served as the lobbyist and a budget and policy analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.
The breakfast is free, but pre-registration is required. To register contact Judy Dinsmore at Northern Maine Development Commission, jdinsmore@nmdc.org.
