PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Joint Order Establishing a Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation is established as follows.
1. Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation established. The Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation, referred to in this order as "the committee," is established.
2. Membership. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, section 5, the committee consists of 17 members, appointed as follows:
A. Five members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and with preference to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs; and
B. Twelve members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and with preference to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
3. Committee chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the committee and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the committee.
4. Appointments; convening of committee. All appointments must be made by May 20, 2010. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee, which may not be held before May 20, 2010. If by May 20, 2010 a majority but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the committee to meet and conduct its business.
5. Duties. The committee shall study any federal health care reform legislation enacted by the United States Congress and determine the State's opportunities for health care reform and the State's role in implementation of federal legislation. In examining these issues, the committee shall consider:
A. The impact of federal legislation on existing state law and programs that provide access to health care to residents of this State;
B. The role of the State in the implementation and oversight of a health insurance exchange;
C. The opportunity for the State to conduct pilot projects, including, but not limited to, pilot projects related to cost containment, payment reform, use of health care technology or health care coverage, with federal funding;
D. The impact of federal legislation on the State's MaineCare program;
E. How federal legislation affects the ability of the State to adopt a system of universal health care through a single-payer plan or other mechanism, including the use of Medicare, MaineCare and other state money to provide funding for universal health care in the State; and
F. Any other issue related to implementation of the federal legislation.
If federal legislation is not enacted, the committee shall consider any other issue related to the State's options for health care reform.
6. Consultation with stakeholders. The committee shall consult with stakeholders including the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance; health insurance companies; hospitals; health care providers; business and labor representatives; and advocates for health care reform.
7. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.
8. Report. No later than November 3, 2010, the committee shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.