JOINT STUDY ORDER TO STUDY THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PURCHASING ALLIANCE TO ENSURE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR ALL MAINE CITIZENS
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Joint Select Committee to Study the Creation of a Public/Private Purchasing Alliance to Ensure Access to Health Care for All Maine Citizens is established as follows.
1. Joint select committee established. The Joint Select Committee to Study the Creation of a Public/Private Purchasing Alliance to Ensure Access to Health Care for All Maine Citizens, referred to in this order as the "committee," is established.
2. Membership. The committee consists of the following 13 members:
A. Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
B. Ten members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
When making the appointments, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall give preference to members from the Joint Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance.
3. Chairs. The first named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the committee.
4. Appointments; convening of committee. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members is complete, the chairs shall call the first meeting of the committee no later than June 30, 2000.
5. Duties. The committee shall:
A. Examine the public policy, regulatory and legislative issues related to the creation of a public/private purchasing alliance, including, but not limited to:
(1) The priorities and objectives of a purchasing alliance;
(2) The critical mass needed for an alliance to be effective and the possible public entities that could be included in an alliance;
(3) The ability of private payors such as individuals, small employers and large employers to join an alliance;
(4) The use of community rating, separate risk pools or other risk adjustment mechanisms in an alliance;
(5) The governance and administrative structure of an alliance; and
(6) The benefit structure and choice of health plans that should be offered through an alliance;
B. Review the experience of other states or entities that have established purchasing alliances;
C. Recommend a model and strategies for the establishment of purchasing alliances in this State;
D. Examine the possibility of creating a pilot project for a community-based health plan, including the statutory and regulatory framework for such a project and the need for state funds to cover potential losses incurred by the plan; and
E. Invite the participation of experts and interested parties, including the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance; Department of Human Services, Bureau of Medical Services; the State Employee Health Commission; the Maine Health Management Coalition; and the University of Southern Maine, Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service.
6. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.
7. Compensation. Members of the committee are entitled to receive the legislative per diem as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses for attendance at authorized meetings of the committee.
8. Meetings. The committee shall hold 6 meetings, but, if the committee requires additional meetings, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may approve additional meetings.
9. Report. The committee shall submit a report along with any recommended legislation to the Legislature by December 1, 2000. If the committee requires an extension of time to make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension.
10. Committee budget. The chairs of the committee, with assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the committee shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the committee, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council or the executive director's designee shall provide the committee chairs and staff with a status report on the committee budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.
Passed by the Senate April 24, 2000 and the House of Representatives April 25, 2000.
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