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May 6, 2010 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Rep. Wes Richardson Named to Panel to Integrate Health Reform Law

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Wes Richardson has been appointed to a legislative committee that will help integrate the new federal health care law into the Maine system. He is one of 12 members of the House named by Speaker Hannah Pingree to the new Joint Select Committee on Health Care Reform Opportunities and Implementation. Five state senators will bring the full complement to 17.

Rep. Richardson (R-Warren) is the ranking Republican on the Legislature’s Insurance and Financial Services (IFS) Committee, which will be integral to making changes to bring the state into line with the new federal rules. Other members of the new select panel serve on committees dealing with health and human services and appropriations.

“The mission is to run a full analysis of the law and figure out the best ways to proceed to help Maine citizens and companies,” said Rep Richardson. “I was not a big fan of the federal law, because it really does nothing to control the cost of health care. That will cause huge problems for us in the future. But now that it’s the law of the land, we must make the best of it for Mainers.”

Legislation to create the committee passed unanimously in early April. The panel’s duties include examining the impact of the new federal statute on existing state law and health care programs, with emphasis on the state’s Medicaid program, known as MaineCare, which provides free health care to about 290,000 people in the state.

The panel also will explore opportunities to conduct federally funded pilot projects, including those related to payment reform and use of health care technology. Another duty involves investigating how the federal law affects Maine’s ability to adopt a system of universal care through a single-payer plan, using Medicare or MaineCare as a vehicle.

No later than November 3, 2010, the committee must submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature, which will be elected November 2.

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