Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Study the Possibility of Implementing the Proposed Healthy Americans Act
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1184
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: PRIEST

Legislative Document 
No. 1184 
H.P.865 
House of Representatives, March 7,2007 
Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Study the Possibility of 
Implementing the Proposed Healthy Americans Act 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
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Presented by Representative PRIEST of Brunswick. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Commission to Study the Possibility of Implementing the Healthy 
Americans Act is established in this resolve to conduct a study and recommend 
legislation to be submitted to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report prepared in time for submission to the Second 
Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission to Study the 
Possibility of Implementing the Healthy Americans Act, referred to in this resolve as "the 
commission," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, each of 
whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services; 
2. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, each of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services; 
3. One representative of a health insurance organization, appointed by the Governor; 
4. One representative of a business organization, appointed by the Governor; 
5. One representative ofa labor organization, appointed by the Governor; 
6. 
One representative of the Maine Municipal Association, appointed by the 
Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair of the commission and the first-named House of Representatives member is the 
House chair of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of commission. 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 commission, 
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which may be no later than 60 days following the effective date of this resolve; and be it 
further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall gather information and 
request necessary data from public and private entities in order to thoroughly review the 
Healthy Americans Act proposed by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and to study the 
possibility of this act's being enacted in this State. 
This proposed act establishes a 
centrally financed system of private health insurance for all those people not covered by 
Medicare System; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. 
Compensation. 
Resolved: 
That the legislative members of the 
commission 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 commission. Public 
members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they 
represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a 
demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 15, 2008, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. The 
commission is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature at the time of submission of its report; and be it 
further 
Sec. 9. 
Extension. 
Resolved: 
That, if the commiSSIOn requires a limited 
extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the 
Legislative Council, which may grant an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the commission, 
with assistance from the commission's staff, shall administer the commission's budget. 
Within 10 days after its first meeting, the commission shall present a work plan and 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The commission may not 
incur expenses that would result in the commission's exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon request from the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council 
shall promptly provide the commission chairs and staff with a status report on the 
commission budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Commission to Study the Possibility of Implementing the 
Healthy Americans Act proposed by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, which would 
establish a centrally financed system of private health insurance for those not covered by 
Medicare. 
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