3/27/09 Maine Statehouse Update

Governor's Budget & Legislature Overview

Health and Human Services gave their feedback to Appropriations this week, and they accepted most of the Governor's cuts.  It was not easy for them, and yesterday they went through several again to be sure they really were OK with the cuts.

Priority Areas  

Lung Cancer

Tobacco Tax:  We have started to get all the pieces together for a full blown campaign to raise the cigarette tax, and also to equalize other smoking tobacco products.  Our bill, however, has not yet been printed.  The budget also addresses non-smoking tobacco like snuff, snus, and chew. 

Loopholes:  We have a bill in that will close several "left over" from early tobacco policy work.  It includes eliminating the smoking rooms which are allowed, although very difficult to have legally.  We know of only three in the state right now - all in new super WalMarts.  It also closes other loopholes.  It has not yet been printed.

Fund for a Healthy Maine:  The Fund, and all it's programs, are in tact so far.  LD 701, our cancer bill (below) requests funding from the Fund.

LD 943, "An Act To Reduce Lung Cancer Rates in Maine" directs landlords to test their properties for radon.  There is no public hearing scheduled.

Colon Cancer

The Comprehensive Cancer Plan includes a new program to screen un- and under-insured for colon cancer.  This remains our funding priority.

Access to Healthcare

LD 290: "An Act To Allow Maine Residents To Purchase Health Insurance from Out-of-state Insurers," is a bill that would hurt Maine people who actually get sick, since they would not necessarily be covered by Maine insurance laws and regulations.  The committee ended with a divided report.

LD 323: "An Act To Improve Transparency in the Health Insurance Markets" is the result of our collaboration in the Maine Voices for Coverage campaign.  It's intent is to make it easier for people buying insurance individually to understand exactly what they are buying, and how it compares to other products on the market.

LD 1040:  "An Act Relating to Health Benefit Plan Coverage of Chemotherapy" mandates insurance carries which cover chemotherapy to cover oral dose chemotherapy at the same rate they do in-patient chemo.  The public hearing is set for March 30, and the work session for April 3.

LD 1091: "An Act To Reduce the Cost of Health Insurance" makes several detrimental changes to current consumer / cancer patient and family protections.  We will testify in opposition to this bill on April 6.

Comp Cancer

LD 701: "An Act To Fund the Screening and Early Detection Elements of the Statewide Cancer Plan" funds the cancer plan with the Fund for a Healthy Maine.  The public hearing is scheduled for Monday the 30th.

LD 781:  "An Act To Designate a Specialty State Lottery Ticket To Benefit Cancer Education and Awareness" creates a scratch ticket to fund the comprehensive cancer program.  The work session is scheduled for April 3.

LD 909:  "An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Fund Research and Development for Cancer" creates a $25 million bond to fund cancer research.  It will be administered by the Maine Technology Institute.  The public hearing went well on Wednesday, and the committee said they will discuss it this week.

LD 919:  "An Act To Prevent and Treat Cancer in Maine by Implementing Critical Portions of the Comprehensive Cancer Program" funds the comprehensive cancer program by increasing the taxes on non-cigarette smoking tobacco to be equivalent to cigarettes.  It is not yet scheduled for a public hearing.

Quality of Life / Pain Management

LD 1193: "An Act To Establish Uniform Protocols for the Use of Controlled Substances" allows only pain specialists to prescribe opioids, and allows only one prescriber per patient.  In Maine we have a very successful prescription monitoring program, and this bill would create unnecessary barriers to appropriate pain management.  We will oppose this bill April 9.

Save the Date:  Lobby Day is Tuesday, April 14, 2009!  All staff and volunteers are encouraged to attend.  We will have a briefing in the morning at 8:30, followed by the opportunity to talk to legislators until about 1:00.  RSVP to Eileen so we have enough materials and food!

* The issues that directly impact the NEDiv Business Plan and/or National Scorecard measures in blue.