Governor issues Executive Order to Implement National Health Reform in Maine
On April 22, 2010, Governor John E. Baldacci issues an executive order to establish the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee. This committee is directed to conduct the following:
To assure ongoing coordination, the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance (GOHPF) shall lead the executive branch working with the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee to implement National Health Reform.
The Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee shall be comprised of the following permanent members. The Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance shall serve as Chair of the Steering Committee.
- Director, Governor’s Office of Health Policy & Finance – Trish Riley
- Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services – Brenda Harvey
- Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation – Anne Head
- Superintendent of Insurance – Mila Kofman
- Executive Director of the Dirigo Health Agenda – Karynlee Harrington
Other members of the administration may be invited to serve on an as-needed basis with respect to specific issues affecting their scope of responsibility. The Steering Committee shall work with the GOHPF health policy committee of key state agencies to support its mission, and draw membership from any other agency or department of state government as needed.
The GOHPF with the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee shall advise the Governor and provide coordination and leadership for implementation of federal health reform across all departments and agencies of the executive branch;
Assure on-going information sharing and coordination of efforts with the Legislative Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation;
Assure broad stakeholder engagement by consulting the Advisory Council on Health Systems Development to ensure open dialogue and to further the success of health reform implementation; and
Ensure the State Health Plan is consistent with on-going implementation efforts, which must include a chapter outlining issues and options for National Health Reform Implementation.
This steering committee will immediately begin to conduct an in-depth analysis of the new federal legislation, identify the steps necessary to produce an implementation plan, develop a plan to pursue funds pursuant to the national temporary high-risk pool to maximize affordable coverage options for Maine citizens, plan for the creation of the State Health Exchange and plan for the implementation of all other components of the National Health Reform, including specific action steps, timelines, and assignment of lead responsibility.
The Advisory Council on Health Systems Development will serve as the advisory stakeholder group to the Steering Committee and shall assist in developing the analysis and implementation process.
The text of the executive order is as follows:
12 FY 10/11
April 22, 2010
AN ORDER IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM IN MAINE
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama signed the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 on March 30, 2010; and
WHEREAS, under National Health Reform up to 37,000 Maine small businesses will qualify for tax credits to help make coverage more affordable, provide affordable coverage options for 125,000 Mainers who are uninsured and 40,000 Mainers who purchase health insurance through the individual market; and
WHEREAS, states have an important role to implement many components of National Health Reform, including certain immediate reforms; and
WHEREAS, Maine is uniquely situated to implement National Health Reform due to its history of insurance reform and Dirigo Health Reform efforts in Maine including expanding access to health insurance, improving quality of care, strengthening public health, and reducing cost growth; and
WHEREAS, a coordinated response by the executive branch is important to ensure timely and successful implementation of National Health Reform across all departments and agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance (GOHPF) was established in January, 2003 by Executive Order 06 FY 02/03 to serve as a focal point on health policy and assure coherent, collaborative cross agency state health policy, maximize Medicaid and other federal programs, and chair the Cabinet Council on Health representing all agencies in state government with health-related responsibilities to assure coordinated policy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee and direct the following:
To assure ongoing coordination, the GOHPF shall lead the executive branch working with the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee to implement National Health Reform.
Membership
The Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee shall be comprised of the following permanent members. The Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance shall serve as Chair of the Steering Committee.
• Director, Governor’s Office of Health Policy & Finance
• Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services
• Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
• Superintendent of Insurance
• Executive Director of the Dirigo Health Agency
Other members of the administration may be invited to serve on an as-needed basis with respect to specific issues affecting their scope of responsibility. The Steering Committee shall work with the GOHPF health policy committee of key state agencies to support its mission, and draw membership from any other agency or department of state government as needed.
Duties
The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance, with the Steering Committee, shall work collaboratively with tribal, local and federal governments. The GOHPF will serve as the state liaison with the federal government for health reform implementation.
The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance, with the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee, shall:
• Advise the Governor and provide coordination and leadership for implementation of federal health reform across all departments and agencies of the executive branch;
• Assure on-going information sharing and coordination of efforts with the Legislative Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation;
• Assure broad stakeholder engagement by consulting the Advisory Council on Health Systems Development to ensure open dialogue and to further the success of health reform implementation; and
• Ensure the State Health Plan is consistent with on-going implementation efforts, which must include a chapter outlining issues and options for National Health Reform implementation.
The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance, with the Health Reform Implementation Steering Committee, shall immediately:
• Conduct an in-depth analysis of the new federal legislation;
• Identify the steps necessary to produce an implementation plan;
• Develop a plan to pursue funds pursuant to the national temporary high risk pool to maximize affordable coverage options for Maine citizens;
• Plan for the creation of the State Health Exchange; and
• Plan for the implementation of all other components of National Health Reform, including specific action steps, timelines, and assignment of lead responsibility.
The Advisory Council on Health Systems Development will serve as the advisory stakeholder group to the Steering Committee and shall assist in developing the analysis and implementation process required by this Executive Order.
The GOHPF may seek external funding and the aid of advisory panels as appropriate.
Reporting
The Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance shall report monthly to the Governor on the Steering Committee’s implementation efforts beginning May, 2010.
Effective Date
The effective date of this Executive Order is April 22, 2010.
John E. Baldacci, Governor
Towards the end of the session, the legislature passed an order creating a similar committee:
Joint Order Establishing a Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation
ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation is established as follows.
1. Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation established. The Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation, referred to in this order as "the committee," is established.
2. Membership. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, section 5, the committee consists of 17 members, appointed as follows:
A. Five members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and with preference to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs; and
B. Twelve members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and with preference to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
3. Committee chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the committee and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the committee.
4. Appointments; convening of committee. All appointments must be made by May 20, 2010. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee, which may not be held before May 20, 2010. If by May 20, 2010 a majority but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the committee to meet and conduct its business.
5. Duties. The committee shall study any federal health care reform legislation enacted by the United States Congress and determine the State's opportunities for health care reform and the State's role in implementation of federal legislation. In examining these issues, the committee shall consider:
A. The impact of federal legislation on existing state law and programs that provide access to health care to residents of this State;
B. The role of the State in the implementation and oversight of a health insurance exchange;
C. The opportunity for the State to conduct pilot projects, including, but not limited to, pilot projects related to cost containment, payment reform, use of health care technology or health care coverage, with federal funding;
D. The impact of federal legislation on the State's MaineCare program;
E. How federal legislation affects the ability of the State to adopt a system of universal health care through a single-payer plan or other mechanism, including the use of Medicare, MaineCare and other state money to provide funding for universal health care in the State; and
F. Any other issue related to implementation of the federal legislation.
If federal legislation is not enacted, the committee shall consider any other issue related to the State's options for health care reform.
6. Consultation with stakeholders. The committee shall consult with stakeholders including the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance; health insurance companies; hospitals; health care providers; business and labor representatives; and advocates for health care reform.
7. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.
8. Report. No later than November 3, 2010, the committee shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.
It is expected that the executive and legislative groups will work collaboratively on this significant implementation effort. [return to top]
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