ME LD1497

Requires the Maine Quality Forum to submit annual reports beginning January 15, 2026 on primary care status, including expenditures as a percentage of overall health spending, service utilization, workforce capacity, access, and preventive care metrics

Establishes an 18-member Primary Care Advisory Council to identify actions needed for a sustainable primary care system, assess gaps in access and workforce, and recommend policy changes to improve investment, geographic distribution, and equity across all counties

Council membership includes 7 primary care providers, 5 stakeholders (insurers, employers, consumers), 2 DHHS appointees, one Senator, one Representative, plus the Superintendent of Insurance and executive director of the Permanent Commission on Racial, Indigenous and Tribal Populations as ex officio members

Council must meet at least 4 times annually and submit annual reports to DHHS and the Legislature beginning January 15, 2026

Both the primary care reporting requirement and the advisory council sunset on January 15, 2031