Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1718 is enacted to read:

§1718.__Disclosure of procedures and prices

The disclosure of health care procedures offered and prices charged by a health care practitioner to a patient or authorized representative of a patient, to the general public and to the Maine Health Data Organization established under chapter 1683 and reimbursement for those health care procedures are governed by this section.

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Authorized representative of a patient" or "authorized representative" means a patient's legal guardian; agent pursuant to Title 18-A, section 5-802; attorney-in-fact pursuant to Title 18-A, section 5-506; or other authorized representative.__For a minor who has not consented to health care treatment in accordance with the provisions of state law, "authorized representative of a patient" or "authorized representative" means the minor's parent, legal guardian or guardian ad litem.

B.__"Health care" means preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance or palliative care, services, treatment, procedures or counseling, including appropriate assistance with disease or symptom management and maintenance, that affects an individual's physical, mental or behavioral condition, including individual cells or their components or genetic information, or the structure or function of the human body or any part of the human body.__"Health care" includes prescribing, dispensing or furnishing to an individual drugs, biologicals, medical devices or health care equipment and supplies; providing hospice services to an individual; and the banking of blood, sperm, organs or any other tissue.

C. "Health care facility" or "facility" means a facility, institution or entity licensed pursuant to this Title that offers health care to persons in this State, including a home health care provider or a hospice program licenses pursuant to this Title or a pharmacy licensed pursuant to Title 32.__For the purposes of this section, "health care facility" or "facility" does not include a nursing facility, state mental health institute, the Elizabeth Levinson Center, the Aroostook Residential Center or Freeport Towne Square.