Sec. B-1. Maine Commission on Children's Health Care established. The Maine Commission on Children's Health Care, referred to in this Part as the "commission," is established.
Sec. B-2. Membership. The commission consists of 16 members as follows:
1. The following 2 commissioners:
A. The Commissioner of Human Services, or the commissioner's designee; and
B. The Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation, or the commissioner's designee;
2. Seven public members, 3 appointed by the Governor, 2 appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
3. Seven Legislators of whom 4 represent the majority party and 3 represent the minority party. Of the 7 Legislators, at least 2 may be members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, 2 may be members of the Joint Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance and 2 may be members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. The legislative members must be appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The chair of the commission must be selected jointly from among the members by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor.
Sec. B-3. Appointments. All appointments must be made no later than 15 days following the effective date of this Part. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. When the appointment of all members is complete, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than October 10, 1997.
Sec. B-4. Duties. The commission shall assess the current health needs of the children of this State and develop a series of recommendations to maximize the fulfillment of those needs. The commission shall:
1. Assess the best and latest available data regarding children's health insurance in the State, including the number of children under 18 years of age who lack health insurance;
2. Examine the costs and benefits of Medicaid expansion with pending federal changes;
3. Examine the benefits and detriments of accepting a block grant that would expand children's health access; and
4. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of alternative health services and financing mechanisms of children's health services.
Sec. B-5. Staff assistance. The commission may request staffing and clerical assistance from the State Planning Office and the Legislative Council.
Sec. B-6. Compensation. Commission members who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses for each day's attendance at meetings of the commission. Other members of the commission are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses.
Sec. B-7. Report. The commission shall submit its recommendations, with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Governor and the Legislature by December 15, 1997. The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may report out legislation based on the report of the commission.
Sec. B-8. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.
1997-98
LEGISLATURE
Maine Commission on Children's Health Care
Personal Services $1,540
All Other 1,900
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and miscellaneous costs, including printing of the Maine Commission on Children's Health Care.
LEGISLATURE __________
TOTAL $3,440
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