Resolve, To Study the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Providing Consumers with Consumer Reports on Health Care Services Amend the resolve by striking out all of the emergency preamble (page 1, lines 1 to 18 in L.D.) Further amend the resolve by striking out all of section 4 and inserting in its place the following: Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall review and analyze the costs and benefits of providing information on both the quality and cost of health care to consumers of health care services, including, but not limited to, whether health insurance costs can be reduced by g~v~ng consumers better information on health care costs and quality. The commission shall also draft recommended legislation on the best method and format for providing that information to consumers. The commission shall also develop a process to provide public access to a comparison of health insurance plans, benefits and rates among health insurance carriers doing business in the State to assist consumers with selecting private health insurance coverage; and be it further Further amend the resolve by striking out all of section 6 and inserting in its place the following: Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council. the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further Page l-LR0437(2) COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0497
Committee Amendment CA_A_S357 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "\\,, to S.P. 169, L.D. 497, "Resolve, To 
Study the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Providing Consumers 
with Consumer Reports on Health Care Services" 
Amend 
the resolve by striking out all of the emergency 
preamble (page 1, lines 1 to 18 in L.D.) 
Further amend the resolve by striking out all of section 4 
and inserting in its place the following: 
'Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission shall review 
and analyze the costs and benefits of providing information on 
both the quality and cost of health care to consumers of health 
care services, 
including, 
but not limited to, whether health 
insurance 
costs 
can 
be 
reduced 
by 
g~v~ng consumers 
better 
information on health care costs and quality. 
The commission 
shall also draft recommended legislation on the best method and 
format 
for 
providing 
that 
information 
to 
consumers. 
The 
commission shall also develop a process to provide public access 
to a 
comparison of health insurance plans, benefits and rates 
among health insurance carriers doing business in the State to 
assist 
consumers 
with 
selecting 
private 
health 
insurance 
coverage; and be it further' 
Further amend the resolve by striking out all of section 6 
and inserting in its place the following: 
'Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That, upon approval of the 
Legislative Council. 
the Office of Policy and 
Legal Analysis 
shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and 
be it further' 
Page l-LR0437(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~, 
.\i~~. ' 
:5 3S1-
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "\1' to S.P. 169, L.D. 497 
Further amend the resolve by striking out all of section 9 
and inserting in its place the following: 
'Sec. 9. Report. Resolved: 
That the commission shall submit 
its 
report, 
together 
with 
any 
recommended 
implementing 
legislation, 
to 
the 
First 
Regular 
Session 
of 
the 
l22nd 
Legislature no later than November 3, 2004. 
The commission may 
also submit such interim reports as it determines necessary. 
The 
commission may introduce legislation related to its report to the 
submission of its report; and be it further 
Sec. 10. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: 
following appropriations and allocations are made. 
LEGISLATURE 
That 
the 
Miscellaneous Studies -
Commission to Study Reports for Consumers 
of Health Care Services 
Initiative: 
Allocates 
funds 
for 
reimbursement 
to 
commission 
members from nons tate funds that may be available. 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
All Other 
Other Special Revenue Funds Total 
2003-04 
$0 
$0 
2004-05 
$500 
$500' 
Further 
amend 
the 
resolve 
by 
striking out all of 
the 
emergency clause (page 3, lines 35 and 36 in L.D.) 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the minority report of the committee. 
The 
amendment modifies the duties of the Commission to Study Reports 
for Consumers of Health Care Services to include recommendations 
for public access 
to health insurance rate comparisons. 
It 
extends the reporting deadline to November 3, 2004. 
The amendment also adds an allocation section and removes 
the emergency preamble and emergency clause. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
"'..Iegislative Study 
Approved: 12/23/03 ~ae 
12lst Maine Legislature 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review 
LD497 
Resolve, To Study the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Providing 
Consumers with Consumer Reports on Health Care Services 
LR 0437(02) 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" " 
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Minority Report 
Fiscal Note 
2003·04 
2004·05 
Projections 
2005·06 
Projections 
2006·07 
$0 
$500 
$0 
$0 
fhe projected cost to fund the operating expenses of this study is $11,680 in fiscal year 2004-05. If sufficient outside 
funding is not available for the study, General Fund money may have to be used. The Legislature has budgeted $20,000 in 
fiscal year 2004-05 for legislative studies. Whether this amount is sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number 
of studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. An allocation to the Legislature of $500 in fiscal year 
2004-05 is included to establish a base allocation to permit expenditures from any dedicated revenue received. Any 
additional costs to the Department of Human Services resulting from the Commisioner or a designee participating can be 
absorbed by the Department within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0437(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1