4/17/09 Maine Statehouse Update

Governor's Budget & Legislature Overview

Nothing new.  The legislature will not be in session next week for the school vacation week, but some committees, including Appropriations, will still meet. The revenue reprojection committee will announce their updated figures April 28.  We will know more then.

Priority Areas  

Lung Cancer

LD 1347:  "An Act To Deter Initiation of Tobacco Use by Increasing the Tax on Tobacco Products" raises the tax on cigarettes by $1, and is the focal point of our tobacco tax campaign.   It is not yet scheduled for a public hearing.

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.

LD 943, "An Act To Reduce Lung Cancer Rates in Maine" directs landlords to test their properties for radon.  The public hearing is scheduled for April 29 at 1:00.

LD 1429:  "An Act To Strengthen the Workplace Smoking Laws and Other Laws Governing Smoking" cleans up some loopholes in current law, including eliminating the smoking rooms which are allowed, although very difficult to have legally.  The public hearing is scheduled for April 29.

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 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.  The public hearing was April 13 and the work session is today.

LD 1091: "An Act To Reduce the Cost of Health Insurance" has been tabled and will be worked again today.

LD 1228: "Resolve, To Direct Action on Health Disparities of the Passamaquody Tribe and Washington County" directs many groups to form an action plan to combat the unacceptable health disparities in Washington County, particularly within the tribe.  It is not yet scheduled for a public hearing.

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 committee will discuss it again April 30.

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 committee voted 10 - 3 to kill it, but some are vowing a floor fight.

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 is still in limbo in committee.

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.  It was voted "ought to pass as amended," and I do not have the amendment.

Lobby Day Thank You to all who participated and brought volunteers!

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