Resolve, To Establish the Study Group To Examine Strategies for Integrating Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into Maine's Health Care System
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0808
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BOLAND, COURTNEY, BEAUDOIN, BRAUTIGAM, CANA VAN, COTTA, CROCKETT, CUMMINGS, DILL, DUNN, EBERLE, FAIRCLOTH, FINLEY, GERZOFSKY, HAYES, HILL, HINCK, PERRY, PINGREE, THERIAULT, TRINW ARD, TUTTLE, WEAVER, HOBBINS

Legislative Document 
No. 808 
H.P.608 
House of Representatives, February 16,2007 
Resolve, To Establish the Study Group To Examine Strategies for 
Integrating Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into 
Maine's Health Care System 
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 15,2007. Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401. 
Presented by Representative BOLAND of Sanford. 
Cosponsored by Senator COURTNEY of York and 
!rJ~/J7.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BEAUDOIN of Biddeford, BRAUTIGAM of Falmouth, CANA VAN of 
Waterville, COTTA of China, CROCKETT of Augusta, Speaker CUMMINGS of Portland, 
DILL of Cape Elizabeth, DUNN of Bangor, EBERLE of South Portland, FAIRCLOTH of 
Bangor, FINLEY of Skowhegan, GERZOFSKY of Brunswick, HAYES of Buckfield, HILL of 
York, HINCK of Portland, PERRY of Calais, PINGREE of North Haven, SIROIS ofTumer, 
THERIAULT of Madawaska, TRINW ARD of Waterville, TUTTLE of Sanford, WEAVER of 
York, Senator: HOBBINS of York. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Sec. 1. 
Study group established. 
Resolved: 
That the Study Group To 
Examine Strategies for Integrating Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into 
Maine's Health Care System, referred to in this resolve as "the study group," is 
established; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Study group membership. Resolved: That the study group consists of 
members. Twelve members are appointed as follows: 
1. Two members ofthe Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
3. A representative from academia involved in food science research or studies, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
4. A representative from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
5. 
A researcher or executive from the food sCIence industry, appointed by the 
Speaker of the House; 
6. A nutritionist, appointed by the Governor; and 
7. A representative from the Dirigo Health Program or MaineCare, appointed by the 
Governor; 
The Maine Public Health Director or the director's designated representative serves 
on the study group; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair of the study group and the first-named House of Representatives member is the 
House chair of the study group; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of study group. 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 study group; and 
be it further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the study group may hold up to 4 meetings to 
develop strategies for integrating incentives for healthy personal nutrition choices, 
including dietary supplements that have been shown to be beneficial to wellness, for the 
purposes of improving dietary intake and general health, supporting strong immune 
systems to resist disease and reducing the cost and the use of health care systems. The 
study group shall have at least one public hearing and, as part of its duties, shall examine 
the following: 
I 
I. The beneficial qualities of dietary supplements, including the opportunities dietary 
supplements may provide to reduce the use and cost of health care; 
2. Incentives to promote, reward or mandate personal nutritional well ness strategies, 
including the use of supplements, to health care providers, insurers and consumers of 
health care; and 
3. The feasibility of requiring insurance reimbursement for dietary supplements that 
have been shown to be beneficial to health. 
For purposes of this resolve, "dietary supplement" has the same meaning as in the 
federal Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, 21 United States Code, 
Section 321 (ff); and be it further 
I I 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall provide necessary staffing services to the study group; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the legislative members of the study 
group 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 study group. Public members not 
otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled 
to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized 
meetings of the study group; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 15, 2007, the study 
group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including 
suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and 
Human Services and the Legislative Council. The Joint Standing Committee on Health 
and Human Services may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd 
Legislature related to the recommendations of the study group. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Study Group To Examine Strategies for Integrating 
Nutritional Wellness and Prevention Measures into Maine's Health Care System. The 
study group will examine and develop strategies for integrating incentives for healthy 
personal nutrition choices, including dietary supplements that have been shown to be 
beneficial to wellness, for the purposes of improving dietary intake and general health, 
supporting strong immune systems to resist disease and reducing the cost and the use of 
the health care system.