Maine 2009 Health Policy Priorities

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• FY 2010-2011 Budget
• Expanding Dental Care
• Coverage, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)
• Childhood Obesity Tracking
• Physical Education in Elementary Schools

The governor signed the Fy 2010-2011 budget on May 28, 2009.  The biennial budget reduces spending from the last two-year budget by $500 million, from $6.3 billion to $5.8 billion. Here are the key highlights for children's health:

• Due to requirements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, there are no changes in coverage or cost-sharing increases for children in Medicaid and CHIP programs.
• Targeted case management eligibility criteria were made stricter.  This will reduce the number of children with developmental delays in Medicaid who can receive these services.
• There were also cuts to private non-medical institutions that provide care to children with significant health care needs.

• In May, the legislature enacted An Act to Include Independent Practice Dental Hygienists in MaineCare (HP 187, LD 233), but it was held until the end of the fiscal year.  At this time, funding has not been allotted for this legislation, so it is being held for future consideration. 
• The bill would allow independent dental hygienists to be reimbursed by MaineCare.  Advocates are hoping this will increase access to dental care in the state, as there is currently a severe shortage of dentists.

• Two bills aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders were combined and referred to the Bureau of Insurance for further study.  They will be considered next legislative session. 
• LD 21 would require health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2010 to provide coverage for diagnostic testing and screening for autism spectrum disorders.
• LD 1198 would require health insurance policies with fewer than 50 employees that were issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2010 to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for persons 21 years of age or younger.  The bill includes an initial annual coverage maximum of $36,000 with a requirement that this maximum be adjusted annually for inflation.   

More Information: Foster's Daily Democrat

• The Governor signed a resolve (LD 625), passed by the House and Senate, that directs the Department of Health and Human Services to form a work group to evaluate the current system for providing EPSDT services in Maine and report findings to the legislature. 
• The bill includes language that would allow legislation to be filed next session based on the report provided.

• The House and Senate passed a bill (LD 319), that was signed by the governor, that requires school nurses to collect the body mass index of all children and report collected data to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

• The governor signed a bill (LD 1407) that creates a program to encourage elementary schools to implement a physical activity and education curriculum. 
• The bill would require an assessment of the capacity of schools to implement physical activity and education programs.  It also calls for a strict evaluation of implemented programs and student health outcomes.
• The bill would establish an Obesity and Chronic Disease Fund to fund the program and other obesity prevention activities.