Whereas, the State has no medical school and it appears that creation of such a school can help relieve the present shortage of physicians and ensure an adequate future supply of physicians and make conveniently available to the citizens of this State the increasingly complex and effective facilities of a modern medical school center; and

Whereas, the State must now rely on the generosities of its sister states to educate Maine physicians; and

Whereas, the funds must be made available as soon as possible so that Medical Care Development, Inc. may be hired and commence it study; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. Study by University of Maine. The University of Maine shall study the feasibility of a medical school in the State to be either located at the University of Maine in Orono or in conjunction with hospitals in Bangor. The University of Maine shall submit a report summarizing its study and including recommendations for legislation, if any, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by December 31, 2003. The committee may report out legislation based on the report to the 2nd Regular Session of the 121st Legislature.

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM,

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE

Health Science Education Program

Initiative: Provides funds for the University of Maine to contract to study the feasibility of a medical school in the State to be located at the University of Maine in Orono or in conjunction with hospitals in Bangor.

General Fund 2003-04 2004-05