Sec. 5. Effective date. This Act takes effect October 15, 2003, except that primary and preventive health care coverage under that section of this Act that enacts the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3174-DD takes effect 90 days after notification to the Department of Human Services that the waiver application submitted pursuant to this Act has been approved.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a statewide primary and preventive health care program, a Medicaid waiver program to serve children and adults with family incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level, subject to adjustment by the Commissioner of Human Services in order to maximize coverage and prevent overspending by the program. The program will include an Internet resource guide and health weeks twice per year to promote good health and encourage enrollment in the program. The program includes an advisory committee to advise the Department of Human Services on consumer copayments and premiums. The bill requires administration of the program to be coordinated and integrated with the MaineCare program. The bill requires 4 public hearings on a statewide basis prior to the operation of the program. The bill requires quarterly fiscal reports. The bill requires the waiver application to be filed by January 1, 2004.