Sec. F-3. Provision of health care services. The Maine Health Care Agency, as established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 375, shall study the provision of health care services under the MaineCare, Medicaid and Medicare programs. The study must consider the waivers necessary to coordinate the Medicaid and Medicare programs with the Maine Health Care Plan established in Title 22, chapter 372; the method of coordination of benefit delivery and compensation; reorganization of State Government necessary to achieve the objectives of the agency; and any other changes in law needed to carry out the purposes of Title 22, chapter 106. The agency shall apply for all waivers required to coordinate the benefits of the Maine Health Care Plan and the Medicaid and Medicare programs. The agency shall report to the Legislature on or before March 1, 2006 and may include suggested legislation in the report.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a universal access health care system that offers a choice of coverage through organized delivery systems or through a managed care system operated by the Maine Health Care Agency and channels all health care dollars through a dedicated trust fund.

1. Part A of the bill does the following.

It establishes the Maine Health Care Plan to provide security through high-quality, affordable health care for the people of the State. All residents and nonresidents who maintain significant contact with the State are eligible for covered health care services through the Maine Health Care Plan. The plan is funded by the Maine Health Care Trust Fund, a dedicated fund receiving payments from employers, individuals and plan members and, after fiscal year 2005, from the 5¢ per package increase in the cigarette tax. The Maine Health Care Plan provides a range of benefits, including hospital services, health care services from participating providers, laboratories and imaging procedures, home health services, rehabilitative services, prescription drugs and devices, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, dental services, vision