Email this page

Publications

Announcement of Committee on Health Care Reform Meeting

The Maine Legislature's newly formed Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation announced that it will convene its first meeting on Thursday, May 20. This Committee is tasked with studying the federal health care reform legislation and determining what opportunities it presents for health reform in Maine and the State's role in implementing the federal law. By joint order of the Legislature, the Committee will take up the impact of the federal law on Maine's existing programs, the State's role with respect to the new health benefit exchanges, how the federal law affects Maine's ability to adopt a universal health care system, "through a single-payer plan or other mechanism," the potential for a variety of federally funded pilot projects, and other issues related to implementation of federal health care reform.

Membership of the Select Committee was drawn from three of the Legislature's Standing Committees: those responsible for Insurance and Financial Services, Health and Human Services, and Appropriations and Financial Affairs. Individual members include, Sen. Joe Brannigan, Chair (D-Cumberland), Sen. Justin Alfond (D-Cumberland), Sen. Margaret Craven (D-Androscoggin), Sen. Kevin Raye (R-Washington), Sen. Earle McCormick (R-Kennebec), Rep. Sharon Treat, Chair (D Hallowell), Rep. Charles Priest (D Brunswick), Rep. Adam Goode (D Bangor), Rep. Mark Eves (D North Berwick), Rep. Linda Sanborn (D- Gorham), Rep. Emily Cain (D Orono), Rep. Lisa Miller (D Somerville), Rep. Gary Connor (D Kennebunk), Rep. Meredith Strang Burgess (R Cumberland), Rep. Wes Richardson (R Warren), Rep. Les Fossel (R Alna), and Rep. Pat Flood (R Winthrop). The committee is directed to work in consultation with a variety of stakeholders and state government offices and to report its findings and recommendations by November 3, 2010.

In addition to the Joint Select Committee that begins its work on May 20, the Governor has established by Executive Order a Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee, chaired by the Director of the Governor's Office of Health Policy & Finance, Trish Riley. Other members of this Steering Committee include the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Superintendent of Insurance, and the Executive Director of the Dirigo Health Agency. Beginning this month, the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance will provide monthly reports to the Governor with respect to the Steering Committee's health care reform implementation efforts.

Members of our health care practice group will be closely monitoring and interacting with State officials as these parallel Legislative and Executive branch efforts unfold. The new federal law provides substantial areas of leeway for state action, so the work of these groups will have an impact on how this major change in the economic and legal landscape affects providers, employers, and consumers.

Preti Flaherty's Health Law Group welcomes your questions on the implications of this legislation and looks forward to working with you in the times ahead as changes to our healthcare system are implemented. Please contact John Doyle, Charlie Dingman, Ann Robinson, Estelle Lavoie, or Beth Beausang.