5-15-09 Maine Statehouse Update

Governor's Budget & Legislative Overview

The Appropriations Committee is working around the clock to close the budget, and threatened that if it is not signed by next Wednesday (May 20) they will stop making Medicaid payments to providers.  They are working mostly behind closed doors, and the Senate chair has said he will cut and cut and not raise a single tax or fee, prompting outcry from many who advocate on behalf of the underserved, people with mental illness, children, and even jails.  We have, of course, said raising the tobacco taxes is a positive public health measure that will also bring in some dollars, but so far they seem dug in.  As other states look to tobacco taxes to help with their revenue problems, it will likely look less distasteful, but we'll see how things move along.

Priority Areas  

Lung Cancer

LD 1347:  "An Act To Deter Initiation of Tobacco Use by Increasing the Tax on Tobacco Products" was killed on Monday.

LD 919:   "An Act To Prevent and Treat Cancer in Maine by Implementing Critical Portions of the Comprehensive Cancer Program" was voted "ought not to pass"  13 - 1.  The sponsor vows to fight for it in the House.

LD 943, "An Act To Reduce Lung Cancer Rates in Maine" was voted "ought to pass" with a technical amendment citing specific levels of radon.

LD 1429:  "An Act To Strengthen the Workplace Smoking Laws and Other Laws Governing Smoking" was passed unanimously but has not made it to the House and Senate for votes.

Access to Healthcare

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 passed unanimously on Tuesday.

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 voted unanimously "ought to pass" yesterday, which sends it to Appropriations to sit "on the table" until they are sure what money is in the Fund, and what should be funded.

LD 781:  "An Act To Designate a Specialty State Lottery Ticket To Benefit Cancer Education and Awareness" is still waiting to be heard in the House and Senate.

LD 909:  "An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Fund Research and Development for Cancer" is going to be carried over until next session.

LD 919:  "An Act To Prevent and Treat Cancer in Maine by Implementing Critical Portions of the Comprehensive Cancer Program" was voted "ought not to pass"  13 - 1.  The sponsor vows to fight for it in the House.

Congress:  Health Care Reform

      Maureen and I continue to meet with our Health Care Reform Partners, and are in the midst of scheduling and planning several forums on women's health and general HCR in both northern and southern Maine.  They will be inclusive forums and include the general public as well as our and our partners' members and/or volunteers.  Stay tuned for dates and times to pass on to your volunteers!

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