On Saturday, Aug. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., the Lincoln County Republican Committee will host a pig roast for the community. The pig roast will be held at 30 Hunt Acres which is on Bunker Hill Road/Route 213 in Newcastle. Along with tasty food like barbecued pork, coleslaw, beans, chips and ice cream, attendees will hear favorite songs by the musical duo, The Help. The keynote speaker of the event will be Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary  Mayhew.

Appointed by Governor Paul LePage in 2011, Commissioner Mayhew provides leadership, guidance and policy direction to the largest agency in Maine state government.

With a budget of more than $3.4 billion and 3,400 employees, Maine DHHS is responsible for management of Maine Medicaid (MaineCare), Aging & Disability Services, Child Welfare, Adult Protective Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services, Food Stamps (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child support enforcement, agency licensure and public health. 

Under her guidance, the department has established effective program prioritization and financial management practices, halting more than a decade of multi-million dollar budget shortfalls and stabilizing Medicaid spending to focus on core priorities of serving the needs of our disabled, our elderly and our children.  

To strengthen and support at-risk families, Mayhew has focused on a holistic approach to improve the integration of services across the department. Mayhew has prioritized the implementation of a nationally recognized evidence-based model to guide improved decision-making and case prioritization within child welfare.

The commissioner is leading innovative reforms in Maine’s Medicaid program, moving away from a sole focus on claims processing to demonstrating value and improved health outcomes for the $2.4 billion spent annually on over 280,000 Mainers. This has been accomplished through investments in primary care and innovative care models designed to improve management of chronic diseases, integrate behavioral and physical health and reduce inappropriate use of healthcare services.  Today, nearly 40 percent of Maine’s Medicaid population has its care coordinated.  This approach has led to many positive outcomes, including an increase in preventative screening, a 10 percent reduction in inappropriate emergency department use, and nearly 17 percent cost avoidance for members whose care is coordinated.

Prior to her appointment, Mayhew was the senior health policy advisor for the administration.  She also previously served as vice president of the Maine Hospital Association for 11 years, managed state government relations for the Equifax Corporation in Atlanta, and was a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. for Congressman William Alexander. 

Local candidates running for office will also be in attendance. In addition to the program contributors, the Newcastle Committee will hold a raffle for two Red Sox tickets and Boston hotel accommodations. The LCRC extends a welcome to all who would like to attend. Tickets are $25 for adults and children 12 and under are free. For more information, please call 563-3104.