122nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 134		LR 0159(02)
	An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Study Public Health
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Health and Human Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current Costs - Legislative Study
					Projections	Projections
			2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$63,780	$261,321	$267,854	$274,550
	Highway Fund		$27,033	$114,514	$117,377	$120,311
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$63,780	$261,321	$267,854	$274,550
	Highway Fund		$27,033	$114,514	$117,377	$120,311
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$6,530	$7,280	$0	$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill's requirement that 0.5% of annual health insurance premiums for state employees be dedicated to support employee health and wellness programs would result in additional costs to the state employee health program.  While some of the current expenses of the state employee health program may be "countable" toward this requirement, it is assumed meeting this requirement as well as existing program obligations could not be accomplished within existing resources and would require a rate increase to keep the state employee health program adequately funded.  Such a rate increase would result in additional costs to the General Fund, Highway Fund, and all other funds with allocated costs of the state employee health program .
	General Fund appropriations of $63,780 for 2005-06 and $261,321 for 2006-07 and Highway Fund allocations of $27,033 for 2005-06 and $114,514 for 2006-07 are included in the bill for the salary plan reserve accounts to fund the increases for General Fund and Highway Fund active employee health insurance costs.  The costs for employees paid by other funds, including a small amount for the Fund for a Healthy Maine, may require increased allotments as recommended by the State Budget Officer and approved by the Governor.  It is further assumed this requirement would apply to the contract year beginning April 1, 2006.
	Any additional costs to the Dirigo Health program in implementing Section 3 of the bill can be absorbed by the Dirigo Health program utilizing existing budgetary resources.
	Additional costs to the Department of Labor, Division of Blind and Visually Impaired can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
Legislative Study
	Extending the Commission to Study Public Health will require the Commission to seek funds from other sources to fully fund all costs of the commission.  Consistent with provisions of Resolve 2003, Chapter 95, before meetings are authorized and expenses can be incurred or reimbursed, sufficient outside funding must be received.  All contributions are subject to approval of the Legislative Council.
	An allocation of Other Special Revenue funds in the amount of $6,530 in fiscal year 2005-06 and $7,280 in fiscal year 2006-07 is needed to fund all costs of the commission from this dedicated account should outside sources of funding be received.  If sufficient funds are not received, no meeting can be held or costs incurred.
	The Commission to Study Public Health received contributions in the amount of $7,280 as a result of Resolve 2003, chapter 95.  Expenditures for the previous work of the commission were $4,220.31.  There currently is an unexpended balance of $3,059.69 which would be available to fund a portion of the costs of the commission, if the commission is extended.