Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first named Senate member is the Senate chair of the task force and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing authorities once the selections have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the task force shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force no later than 10 days after all members have been appointed; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall study health care delivery systems within the State.

1. In conducting the study, the task force shall examine at least the following topics:

A. Ways to avoid duplication;

B. Identification of waste;

C. Reduction of paperwork;

D. Standardized billing systems;

E. Hospital costs;

F. The certificate of need process;

G. Prescription drugs; and

H. The feasibility of a pilot program to implement the recommendations of the task force.

2. In examining these topics, the task force may:

A. Hold informational sessions for discussions with knowledgeable persons;

B. Conduct, summarize and analyze the results of a literature search;

C. Conduct, tabulate and analyze the results of a survey of the public or affected persons and groups;

D. Procure and analyze relevant data;

E. Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on legal questions within the scope of the study;

F. Determine and summarize the legislative actions or governmental programs undertaken in other jurisdictions related to issues within the scope of the study;

G. Invite experts to assist the task force or a subcommittee to carry out the purposes of this resolve; and

H. Form subcommittees of no more than 5 members to focus on a problem or issue identified by the task force; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the task force who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force. Other members of the task force who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit its report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature no later than January 15, 2002. The chairs of the task force shall report the findings of the task force to a joint session of the 120th Legislature no later than January 15, 2002. If the task force requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 9. Budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the task force, with assistance from the task force staff, shall administer the task force's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the task force shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task

force exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the task force, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the task force chairs and staff with a status report on the task force's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve establishes the Task Force to Examine Health Care Delivery Systems within the State. The task force shall submit a report and any necessary implementing legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature and the chairs of the task force shall report the findings of the task force to a joint session of the 120th Legislature no later than January 15, 2002.