An Act to Extend the Authority of the Health Care System and Health Security Board
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. ZZZ, §1, sub-§1, first ¶ is amended to read:
1. Board established. The Health Care System and Health Security Board, referred to in this section as the "board," consists of 19 20 members as follows:
Sec. 2. PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. ZZZ, §1, sub-§1, ¶¶D and E are amended to read:
D. Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who are serving in the House of Representatives at the time of their appointment with preference to members of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over banking and insurance matters;
E. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate who are serving in the Senate at the time of their appointment with preference to members of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over banking and insurance matters;
Sec. 3. PL 2001, c. 439, Part ZZZ, §1, sub-§1, ¶G is amended to read:
G. A representative of each of the following, appointed by the Speaker of the House:
(1) A statewide organization that represents Maine senior citizens;
(2) A statewide labor organization;
(3) A statewide organization of nurses;
(4) Large hospitals in the State;
(5) The business community; and
(6) An organization representing the self-employed.; and
(7) The public.
Sec. 4. PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. ZZZ, §1, sub-§§2 and 3 are amended to read:
2. Chairs. The first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House member is the House chair of the board. The Senate and House chairs may continue to serve until successors are appointed.
3. Appointments; convening board. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Part. Appointed members may continue to serve until their successors are appointed. The chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the board within 30 days of completion of all appointments. The board may hold up to 4 meetings after June 30, 2003, all of which must be in the Augusta area.
Sec. 5. PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. ZZZ, §1, sub-§§6 to 9 are amended to read:
6. Staff assistance. The board may contract with and retain staffing and technical assistance from a health policy organization. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis may provide necessary staffing services to the board.
7. Funding. The board may seek and accept outside funding through the public or private sector to advance its work and support its activities. Funds may not be appropriated from the General Fund to support any activity of the board, nor may expenses exceed available funding.
8. Compensation. Those members of the board 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 related to their attendance at meetings of the board. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities whom they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their attendance at meetings of the board.
9. Report. Based on its review, the board shall develop recommendations regarding the implementation of a single-payor plan to provide health care coverage to all citizens of this State and shall submit its final report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature by March 1, 2002 for presentation to the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature by November 1, 2004. If the board requires an extension of time to make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension. The board shall submit an interim report, together with any implementing legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature by January 15, 2003. Upon submission of the final report, the board may not take further action unless further action is authorized by law.
Sec. 6. Appropriations and Allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
LEGISLATURE
Health Care System and Health
Security Board
Initiative: Provides an allocation of Other Special Revenue funds for expenses of the board.
Other Special Revenue Funds 2003-04 2004-05
Personal Services $1,100 $0
All Other 5,202 0
__________ __________
Other Special Revenue
Funds Total $6,302 $0
Sec. 7. Retroactivity. This Act is retroactive to September 21, 2001.
Effective September 13, 2003, unless otherwise indicated.
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