08-R384

2008 -- H 7466

Enacted 07/05/08

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A JOINT TASK FORCE TO STUDY ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH CARE REFORM RELATING TO THE HEALTHY RHODE ISLAND REFORM ACT OF 2008 - PART VIII

Introduced By: Representatives Lewiss, Church, Ferri, Gemma, and Slater

Date Introduced: February 13, 2008

     WHEREAS, On April 12, 2006, landmark legislation was enacted in the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts that would provide nearly universal health care coverage to Massachusetts

residents; and

     WHEREAS, The states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island share the advantages of a

high percentage of employers offering employee health benefits and expanded Medicaid

programs; and

     WHEREAS, The states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island each have lower percentages

of uninsured persons than the national average; and

     WHEREAS, Health care costs continue to rise at rates significantly outpacing wage

increases; and

     WHEREAS, These cost increases have led to reduced employer profits, increased

employee expenses, and more persons who are without health insurance coverage; and

     WHEREAS, Since the passage of the Massachusetts legislation several other states and

many national candidates for office have proposed comprehensive health care reform plans; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby strongly believes that a thorough study of the applicability of the

Massachusetts Health Care Reform Plan, other states' health care reform initiatives and health

care reform plans proposed by many national candidates for office is necessary; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That a special Joint Task Force be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: four (4) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; four (4) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more than three (3)

from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and one of whom

shall be the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Rhode Island, or designee.

     The purpose of said task force shall be to make a comprehensive study of the

Massachusetts Health Care Reform Plan, other states' health care reform initiatives and the health

care reform proposals of national candidates for office and the potential applicability of these

initiatives to the State of Rhode Island.

     On September 1, 2008, or immediately thereafter, the members of the task force shall

meet at the call of the General Assembly and organize and shall select one co-chair from among

the members of the House of Representatives, one co-chair from among the members of the

Senate, and one co-chair who shall be the Lieutenant Governor.

     Vacancies in said task force shall be filed in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said task force shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said task force and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable

by the task force to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said task force; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly no later than June 4, 2009 and said task force shall expire on August 4, 2009.

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LC01360

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