8. One Senator, appointed by the President of the Senate; and be it further

Sec. 3. Meetings. Resolved: That the task force shall meet by July 31, 1999 and after that date as necessary to accomplish its duties. All meetings of the task force are public meetings within the meaning of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1; and be it further

Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall:

1. Gather and analyze data concerning what coverage is available in the individual health insurance market, which carriers offer it, how much it costs and who is covered and who is not.

2. Compare the availability and cost of coverage in the individual market to the availability and cost of coverage in the group market.

3. Consider possible steps to improve availability and affordability of individual health insurance, including, but not limited to:

A. Cross-subsidies between the group and individual health insurance markets. The impact on the group market and on employers must also be considered;

B. Risk adjustment mechanisms; and

C. Changes in laws concerning guaranteed issue, guaranteed renewal and rating restrictions.

4. Recommend any steps the task force considers appropriate to improve availability and affordability of individual health insurance and draft any proposed legislation needed to implement those recommendations. The task force shall attempt to reach consensus on its recommendations. If no consensus is achieved, more than one set of recommendations may be reported, with each member designating which set that member supports; and be it further

Sec. 5. Staffing. Resolved: That the Bureau of Insurance shall provide staffing assistance to the task force. The bureau may retain consultants as needed to assist the task force; and be it further

Sec. 6. Voluntary service. Resolved: That members of the task force serve without compensation or reimbursement of any