SUMMARY

This bill implements recommendations of the Commission to Study Public Health, which was created pursuant to Resolve 2003, chapter 95. The bill:

1. Creates the Maine Obesity Prevention Fund, which is to be funded from sources determined by the Legislature to be contributing causes of obesity. This fund may not be funded by allocations from the Fund for a Healthy Maine, and allocations may not be made from it to the General Fund;

2. Extends the Commission to Study Public Health through the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature;

3. Directs the Dirigo Health board and the Department of Health and Human Services to study and report on incentives provided to encourage purchases of healthy food and beverages;

4. Directs the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources, Division of Employee Health and Benefits to implement a comprehensive employee health program addressing obesity;

5. Directs the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to create an expedited bid process for pilot projects related to employee health;

6. Directs the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of the Blind and Visually Impaired to pursue reforms that will increase the availability of healthy foods and beverages in cafeterias, snack bars and vending machines under the division's purview;

7. Directs the State Employee Health Commission to direct health insurance carriers who provide health coverage for state employees, retirees and MaineCare recipients to investigate, and possibly implement, potentially cost-saving services for obesity prevention among their insureds; and

8. Directs the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to encourage all health insurance