Resolve, To Enhance Health Care for Direct Care Workers

Sec. 1. Demonstration project established. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance shall set up a demonstration project, named the Direct Care Workforce Health Coverage Working Group, through which long-term care service providers unable to afford high-quality health insurance for their direct care workers may receive higher levels of reimbursement for MaineCare services they provide. The Bureau of Insurance shall assess what the effect of these workers' receiving this benefit has on worker retention; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance matters 4 years after the start of the program with a report and recommendations. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance matters may submit legislation; and be it further

Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Insurance - Bureau of 0092

Initiative: Provides funds for the Direct Care Workforce Health Coverage Working Group demonstration project.

GENERAL FUND	2009-10	2010-11
All Other	$0	$500,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$500,000

SUMMARY

This resolve requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to establish a demonstration project named the Direct Care Workforce Health Coverage Working Group to help long-term care service providers unable to afford high-quality health insurance for their direct care workers to receive higher levels of reimbursement for MaineCare services they provide. The project will last 4 years and cost $500,000. The bureau shall assess if this benefit affects worker retention. The bureau shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance matters, which may submit legislation.