Whereas, the Governor's Year 2000 Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care found that Maine's "health care delivery and financing system is inefficient, unreasonably complicated, and unfair; that people in Maine are not as healthy as they could be, and efforts to improve health status are inadequate; and many in Maine are unable to obtain health care of the type and quality that they need"; and

Whereas, the commission established in this resolve must begin its work as soon as possible to address the problems with Maine's health care delivery and financing system to alleviate increasing health care costs and expand access to health care for Maine's citizens; 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 Develop and Finance Health Care Coverage for All Maine People, referred to in this resolve as the "commission" is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following 17 members:

1. Six members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:

A. Two members of the Senate. When making these appointments, the President of the Senate must give preference to a member serving on the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and to a member serving on the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation;

B. A member of a statewide organization representing insured health care consumers;

C. A member of a statewide organization representing rural health clinics;

D. A member of the Medicaid Advisory Committee; and

E. A member of a statewide organization representing labor;