Resolve, To Establish the Maine Health Advisory Committee (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1563
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: GRATWICK, TUCKER, DAVIS, DOW, LIBBY, SAVIELLO, CAMPBELL, GRANT, MARTIN

Legislative Document
No. 1563
S.P. 547
In Senate, May 2, 2017
Resolve, To Establish the Maine Health Advisory Committee
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator GRATWICK of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative TUCKER of Brunswick and
Senators: DAVIS of Piscataquis, DOW of Lincoln, LIBBY of Androscoggin, SAVIELLO of 
Franklin, Representatives: CAMPBELL of Orrington, GRANT of Gardiner, MARTIN of Eagle 
Lake.
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 Maine Health Advisory Committee must be established to advise the 
Legislature regarding the interests of Maine's citizens and businesses with respect to the 
delivery of health care in the State; and 
Whereas, the work of the advisory committee must be initiated before the 90-day 
period expires in order that it may be completed and a report submitted in time for 
submission to the next legislative session; 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.  Advisory committee established.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding 
Joint Rule 353, the Maine Health Advisory Committee, referred to in this resolve as "the 
advisory committee," is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Advisory committee membership.  Resolved:  That the advisory 
committee consists of 15 members as follows: 
1.  The following 5 members of the Legislature, of whom one must serve on the Joint 
Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services and one must serve on either 
the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services or the Joint Standing 
Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs: 
A.  Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
one member recommended by the Senate Minority Leader; and 
B.  Three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, including one member recommended by the House 
Minority Leader; 
2.  One person representing the insurance industry, appointed by the President of the 
Senate; 
3.  One person who is an advocate for enrolling hard-to-reach populations in health 
insurance, including individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, appointed 
by the President of the Senate; 
4.  One person representing hospitals or other health care facilities in the State, 
appointed by the President of the Senate; 
5.  One person representing health care providers, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; 
6.  One person representing a health care advocacy group, appointed by the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives; 
7.  One person who has expertise in health economics, appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
8.  One person who has expertise in statistics, polling and data analysis, appointed by 
the President of the Senate; 
9.  The Superintendent of Insurance, or the superintendent's designee; 
10.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services, or the commissioner's 
designee; and 
11.  The executive director of the division of employee health and benefits within the 
Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources; and 
be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
advisory committee; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of advisory committee.  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.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the advisory committee.  If 30 days 
or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have 
been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant 
authority for the advisory committee to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the advisory committee shall study health care 
issues, including but not limited to the issues of quality, affordability and accessibility of 
health care throughout the State; the prevention of illness; fairness and equity of health 
care delivery and accessibility in different geographic regions of the State; various 
funding options; and methods of cost containment.  Through the use of public meetings, 
questionnaires, polling and other sampling techniques, the advisory committee shall 
solicit information and concerns from the public.  The advisory committee shall review 
strategies employed by other states and, based on the information it gathers, shall develop 
recommendations to present to the Legislature regarding the delivery and financing of 
health care in the State; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Meetings.  Resolved:  That the advisory committee shall hold 6 meetings, 
of which must be held at geographically diverse locations throughout the State.  
Meetings of the advisory committee are public proceedings as provided by the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the advisory committee; and be it further 
Sec. 8.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 31, 2017, the advisory 
committee shall submit a report for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services during the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature 
that includes: 
1.  A review and an evaluation of the continuation of the advisory committee, 
including the staffing and funding needs of such an advisory committee, and 
recommendations regarding the advisability of establishing an ongoing advisory 
committee in the Maine Revised Statutes; and 
2.  Recommendations for any changes in policy or law that would improve the 
delivery of health care for citizens and businesses in the State. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Maine Health Advisory Committee.