Sec. 1. 5 MRSA c. 158, sub-c. V is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER V

ACCESS TO HEALTH COVERAGE

§1898.__Health coverage purchasing pool

There is established the health coverage purchasing pool to provide access to health coverage at affordable prices to residents who are unable to purchase coverage through their employment or on the private market or who are unable to afford the premiums for that coverage.__The following provisions apply to the purchasing pool.

1.__Negotiations; purchase.__Beginning November 1, 2001, the commissioner shall negotiate with health insurers and health maintenance organizations licensed under Title 24-A for the purchase of health coverage for residents.__Group coverage through the pool must begin by January 1, 2002.

2.__Premiums.__Residents who obtain coverage through the purchasing pool must pay premiums to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to cover the full cost of such coverage for themselves and any dependents and any administrative costs incurred by the purchasing pool.

3.__Selection of health coverage plan.__The commissioner shall select the health coverage plan to be offered through the purchasing pool and shall conduct all business for the purchasing pool on behalf of the group members and potential members.

4.__Exception.__A health coverage purchasing pool formed pursuant to this section is eligible for group coverage notwithstanding the provisions of Title 24-A, section 2808.

5.__Rules.__The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer the purchasing pool.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as provided in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a health coverage purchasing pool to make health coverage available through the power of a group purchase to residents who are unable to obtain or to afford coverage. The bill requires covered persons to pay premiums to