Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Provide Transparency Concerning Operating Expenses for Hospitals

Sec. 1. Convene working group. Resolved: That the Maine Health Data Organization and the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance shall convene a working group to examine and make recommendations for hospital data reporting that will provide transparency concerning operating expenses, including, but not limited to, annual operating budgets and other financial information. The working group must include representatives of the Maine Hospital Association, the Maine Health Data Organization and the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance and any other stakeholders needed to determine the appropriate data sets, schedules and format of the data and reports. The Maine Health Data Organization and the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance shall provide the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and staff advance notice of the time and place of the meetings; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties of working group. Resolved: That the working group under section 1 shall review current data being collected and identify additional data needed to provide transparency concerning operating expenses, including, but not limited to, annual operating budgets, income sources, profit-generating facilities, salary ranges by position, the value of transactions between hospitals and their affiliates and advertising. The working group shall identify all schedules, forms and methods needed for data collection as well as a deadline and a format for reporting the information to the Legislature; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report recommendations. Resolved: That, by January 1, 2010, the Maine Health Data Organization and the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services the findings and recommendations of the working group under section 1, including any necessary implementing legislation; and be it further

Sec. 4. Legislation. Resolved: That, after receipt and review of the report and recommendations submitted pursuant to section 3, the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.