An Act To Increase Funding for the State's Immunization Program

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the budget for the State's immunization program faces a gap of approximately $6,000,000 if it continues providing vaccine supplies at the current level; and

Whereas,  the pressure on the budget of the immunization program has required the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to provide vaccine supplies only to health care providers serving the most high-risk populations; and

Whereas,  Maine's immunization program should encourage administration of vaccines as a part of a total preventive health care program, so as to provide effective entry into a continuous and comprehensive primary care system; and

Whereas,  Maine's public health system should ensure that there is no financial barrier to routine childhood vaccinations or annual influenza vaccinations for Maine citizens; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention 0143

Initiative: Provides funds for the State's immunization program to provide vaccines in accordance with guidelines established by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	4.000	4.000
Personal Services	$228,000	$239,400
All Other	$6,000,000	$6,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$6,228,000	$6,239,400

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

The bill provides funding for the State's immunization program so that the program can provide vaccines to adults and children according to guidelines established by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.