§103.__Data

The council shall solicit data and information from both the public and private sectors to help inform the council's work.

1.__Bureau of Health to forward data.__The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health, in consultation with the Maine Center for Public Health Practice established pursuant to Title 22, section 3-D, the program in the Bureau of Health that works collaboratively to improve the health of the citizens of this State and a statewide public health association, shall forward to the council each year data documenting key public health needs, organized by region of the State.

2.__Public purchasers to present report.__Public purchasers using state or municipal funds to purchase health care services or health insurance shall, beginning January 1, 2004, present to the council a consolidated state health expenditure report outlining all funds expended in the most recently completed state fiscal year for hospital inpatient and outpatient care, physician services, prescription drugs, long-term care, mental health, other services and administration, organized by agency.

3.__Council to develop document.__The council, through a health management coalition in this State and other groups, shall encourage private purchasers established under Titles 13, 13-B and 13-C to develop a document similar to that described in subsection 2 for the council's consideration.

§104.__Uses of plan

1.__Guide decisions.__The State in awarding certificates of need and the Maine Health and Higher Education Facilities Authority in its health care lending shall use the plan as a guide in making their decisions.

2.__Certificate of need.__A certificate of need or public financing that affects health care costs may not be provided unless it meets goals and budgets explicitly outlined in the plan.

Sec. B-2. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§31-B is enacted to read:

31-B. Advisory Expenses 2 MRSA

Health Care Council on Only §102

Health

Systems