This week, I’ll discuss the so-called, “St. Patrick’s Day bill,” our hospital repayment and reform plan, and one of my bills that will be heard next week.

Community Event
Last Saturday, I joined Senator Haskell to present medals earned during military service to Professor William B. Jordan, Jr. of Portland, a World War II veteran. Senator Haskell and I learned that despite his commendable service, Professor Jordan had never received his medals. We then worked with federal officials to ensure he was awarded the medals he was due.

Those who served deserve all the recognition and honor we can give them. We can never thank them enough for risking their lives and serving our country.

St. Patrick’s Day

Earlier today, the Senate and House passed the so-called, “St. Patrick’s Day bill,” with the required two-thirds support. The bill would allow bars to open at 6am on Sundays, if that Sunday happened to be St. Patrick’s Day. It has generated considerable press over the last few weeks.

 

It now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

 

Click here to read more from the Bangor Daily News.

Hospital Repayment and Reform Plan

On Monday, Speaker Eves and I announced our plan to make the final debt payment to Maine hospitals and institute reforms to help prevent huge medical bills in the future.

 

Our plan will pay off the hospitals in full by September 30, 2013 and with no risk to Maine taxpayers.  In fact, our plan will save Maine taxpayers $45 million by avoiding interest payments and finance charges. It is Constitutional, and doesn’t borrow money to pay off debt.
We’re also proposing three reforms to reduce costs in the future:
  • Transparency in billing: we’re expected to pay our bills and we should also know what’s in our bills, especially if there’s a large difference between the price charged, and the actual cost of the service. A recent report by Timemagazine highlighted these differences in hospital charges, including one hospital that charged $77 for gauze.
  • Payment reform and care management: we should pay for healthier outcomes, not the number of tests ordered.
  • Health care for 70,000 more Mainers: It’s only common sense to accept federal funds to insure more people. Not only will it give more people access to health care, it will save us $690 million, and reduce hospitals’ charity care costs.

You can read more about our plan here.

Bills Submitted

Every two years, legislators submit bills to make changes in current law. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting some of my bills this session.

Today, I’m going to talk about LD 90, “An Act to Strengthen Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future.”

This bill was submitted to serve as a vehicle for the work of the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future. On Monday, I will appear before the committee and submit an amendment that attempts to capture the great work they have done. I look forward to reporting back next week on how it has gone.