Resolve, To Promote Equity in COVID-19 Immunizations
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1077
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: LIBBY, TALBOT ROSS, CLAXTON, DAUGHTRY, JACKSON, VITELLI, BROOKS, CLOUTIER, CRAVEN, MEYER

Legislative Document
No. 1077
S.P. 345
In Senate, March 11, 2021
Resolve, To Promote Equity in COVID-19 Immunizations
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator LIBBY of Androscoggin.
Cosponsored by Representative TALBOT ROSS of Portland and
Senators: CLAXTON of Androscoggin, DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, President JACKSON of 
Aroostook, VITELLI of Sagadahoc, Representatives: BROOKS of Lewiston, CLOUTIER of 
Lewiston, CRAVEN of Lewiston, MEYER of Eliot.
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 spread of the novel coronavirus disease referred to as COVID-19 has 
created a public health emergency; and
Whereas, in response to this widespread disease, the World Health Organization has 
declared a pandemic, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency 
and the Governor of Maine has declared a civil state of emergency; and
Whereas, historically vulnerable populations in Maine have been disproportionately 
affected by COVID-19; and
Whereas, COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution by the federal program 
Operation Warp Speed is ongoing; and
Whereas, the advisory committee on immunization practices for the federal Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention has made recommendations for priority of COVID-19 
vaccinations; and
Whereas, Maine's Department of Health and Human Services is developing and 
implementing criteria, priorities and plans for the administration of COVID-19 
vaccinations; and
Whereas, equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations is essential to combatting this 
pandemic; 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.  Department of Health and Human Services to provide outreach and 
education related to COVID-19 vaccines to rural populations and historically 
vulnerable populations.  Resolved:  That, within existing resources, including any 
federal funds, the Department of Health and Human Services shall implement a program 
providing outreach and education to rural populations and to historically vulnerable 
populations that includes information about where and how to receive a COVID-19 
vaccine, vaccine safety and disease prevention.  Outreach under this program must be 
tailored to rural populations and to historically vulnerable populations and must use 
methods that are likely to reach those populations, including but not limited to direct phone 
calls.
Sec. 2.  Department of Health and Human Services to increase MaineCare 
reimbursement rates for COVID-19 vaccine administration.  Resolved:  That 
the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend rule Chapter 101: MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapter I, Section 5, COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Services to 
provide that the activities associated with the administration of COVID-19 vaccines are 
reimbursed to the maximum extent allowable under federal law.  The Department of Health 
and Human Services shall submit a request for a waiver or state plan amendment to the 
United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services as necessary to implement this section.  Rules adopted pursuant to this 
section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 
375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 3.  Department of Health and Human Services to report to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on COVID-19 
vaccinations.  Resolved:  That beginning 7 days after the effective date of this legislation 
and every 6 weeks thereafter until the end of the Governor's declaration of a state of 
emergency due to COVID-19, the Department of Health and Human Services shall report 
to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on the progress the State 
is making in vaccinating state residents with COVID-19 vaccines.  This report must 
include, but may not be limited to, data on the vaccination of state residents generally and 
of historically vulnerable populations and the activities around and success of public 
education and outreach efforts.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to:
1. Implement an outreach and education program, using existing resources, including 
federal funding sources, that is tailored to reach rural populations and historically 
vulnerable populations with information about where and how to receive a COVID-19 
vaccine, vaccine safety and disease prevention;
2.  Amend its rules in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter I, Section 5, 
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Services to provide that the activities associated with 
the administration of COVID-19 vaccines under the MaineCare program are reimbursed to 
the maximum extent allowable under federal law; and
3.  Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on the 
progress the State is making in vaccinating state residents with COVID-19 vaccines 
beginning 7 days after the effective date of this legislation and every 6 weeks thereafter 
until the end of the Governor's declaration of a state of emergency due to COVID-19.