Resolve, To Establish the Study Group To Examine Strategies for Integrating Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into Maine's Health Care System

Sec. 1. Study group established. Resolved: That the Study Group To Examine Strategies for Integrating Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into Maine's Health Care System, referred to in this resolve as "the study group," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Study group membership. Resolved: That the study group consists of 13 members. Twelve members are appointed as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. Five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. A representative from academia involved in food science research or studies, appointed by the President of the Senate;

4. A representative from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, appointed by the President of the Senate;

5. A researcher or executive from the food science industry, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

6. A nutritionist, appointed by the Governor; and

7. A representative from the Dirigo Health Program or MaineCare, appointed by the Governor;

The Maine Public Health Director or the director’s designated representative serves on the study group; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair of the study group and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the study group; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of study group. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study group; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the study group may hold up to 4 meetings to develop strategies for integrating incentives for healthy personal nutrition choices, including dietary supplements that have been shown to be beneficial to wellness, for the purposes of improving dietary intake and general health, supporting strong immune systems to resist disease and reducing the cost and the use of health care systems. The study group shall have at least one public hearing and, as part of its duties, shall examine the following:

1. The beneficial qualities of dietary supplements, including the opportunities dietary supplements may provide to reduce the use and cost of health care;

2. Incentives to promote, reward or mandate personal nutritional wellness strategies, including the use of supplements, to health care providers, insurers and consumers of health care; and

3. The feasibility of requiring insurance reimbursement for dietary supplements that have been shown to be beneficial to health.

For purposes of this resolve, "dietary supplement" has the same meaning as in the federal Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, 21 United States Code, Section 321(ff); and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide necessary staffing services to the study group; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the legislative members of the study group 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 related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the study group. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of the study group; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 15, 2007, the study group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and the Legislative Council. The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature related to the recommendations of the study group.

summary

This resolve establishes the Study Group To Examine Strategies for Integrating Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into Maine's Health Care System. The study group will examine and develop strategies for integrating incentives for healthy personal nutrition choices, including dietary supplements that have been shown to be beneficial to wellness, for the purposes of improving dietary intake and general health, supporting strong immune systems to resist disease and reducing the cost and the use of the health care system.