Clark named to panel
AUGUSTA — State Rep. Tyler Clark (R-Easton) has been named to a panel that will examine the allocation of assets from the Fund for a Healthy Maine (FHM). House Speaker Robert Nutting announced the appointment.
The new commission on FHM was established by the Legislature during its first regular session. The 13-member bipartisan panel, which includes physicians as well as legislators, will follow up on a recommendation by the government watchdog agency OPEGA — the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability. A 2009 OPEGA report noted that there had never been a comprehensive reassessment of how monies from FHM are being allocated to support health-related efforts.
“It’s clear that the Fund for a Healthy Maine is due for a fresh review,” said Clark, who serves on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. “Since its creation in 1999, the mixture of funding streams into the various programs has remained essentially the same. In 12 years, some of the needs may have changed. Our job is to recommend how the funds should be distributed among new and existing programs to most effectively support the state’s current public health priorities.”
FHM is financed by the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which has provided the state with $45 million to $58 million every year since 2000. Racino revenue channeled to FHM has ranged from $1.7 million to $3.7 million annually.
The FHM program is intended to prevent disease and promote good health among Mainers of all ages by augmenting General Fund programs. The founding legislation allowed spending in eight categories, ranging from prenatal and dental care for low-income individuals to substance abuse prevention and treatment. It also assists with the cost of prescription drugs for adults who are elderly or disabled, while attempting to attract the maximum amount in federal “matching” funds. The FHM has added a few new programs over the years, such as the School Breakfast Program.
The new commission is broadly charged with identifying and reviewing FHM’s effectiveness. It is expected to make recommendations to ensure that FHM allocations stay aligned with the state’s health goals. That report is due by Dec. 7.
