Bill > LD1028

This bill establishes a 13-member Task Force to Study Equitable Access to Maternal Health Care and Birthing Facilities, which will conduct a comprehensive investigation into maternal healthcare challenges in the state. The task force will include legislators, healthcare professionals, and representatives from various health organizations, with specific attention to representing rural populations. The group's primary duties include analyzing past closures of maternal healthcare units, examining patient care quality, studying demographic information about populations most affected by healthcare access limitations, and investigating current maternal healthcare service availability across different regions. The task force will compile data on factors such as insurance coverage, age, race, ethnicity, income, LGBTQIA+ status, and immigration status to understand disparities in maternal healthcare access. By January 6, 2026, the task force is required to submit a detailed report with findings and recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, which will then have the authority to propose legislation during the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. The goal of this task force is to identify methods for increasing financial investment and ensuring equitable access to maternal healthcare services for vulnerable populations.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1028&snum=132