CHAPTER 348
S.P. 536 - L.D. 1576
An Act To Provide Group Health Insurance Coverage to Maine Citizens Eligible for Assistance Under the Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, workers displaced by foreign trade competition face hardship in obtaining affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for themselves and their dependents; and
Whereas, the federal government has created a program of health coverage tax credits to assist such workers in the purchase of health care coverage; and
Whereas, this legislation is necessary to facilitate the implementation of the federal program; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §285, sub-§11 is enacted to read:
11. Coverage for persons eligible under federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Division of Employee Health and Benefits may provide, through a qualified insurance company, a group health plan product for individuals certified to receive federal assistance in paying for health coverage under the terms of the health coverage tax credit program within the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002, Public Law 107-210. Certification of eligibility is made by the Department of Labor. Individuals may enroll eligible dependents. Individuals eligible for enrollment in this group health plan remain eligible for enrollment and coverage through the duration of their federal trade adjustment assistance eligibility and for one month after their federal trade adjustment assistance eligibility status ends.
Any person who is receiving a benefit payment from the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and who has attained the age of 55, but who is not eligible for Medicare benefits, may also enroll in the group health plan. These individuals may enroll eligible dependents.
The eligibility requirements under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002, Public Law 107-210 apply to persons enrolling in the group health plan provided pursuant to this subsection.
Premium rates must be established to reflect the costs of providing insurance coverage. Premium payments must be provided by the United States Department of Labor and individual enrollees. The division may accept any funds allocated under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 and other sources in order to pay premiums and to administer the program.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Accident-Sickness-Health Insurance 0455
Initiative: Allocates funds for 2 limited-period Employee Benefit Technician positions and associated administrative costs for the Division of Employee Health and Benefits to enroll eligible displaced workers in the trade adjustment assistance health insurance program.
Federal Expenditures Fund 2003-04 2004-05
Positions - FTE Count (2.000) (2.000)
Personal Services $76,378 $76,378
All Other 20,000 20,000
__________ __________
Federal Expenditures
Fund Total $96,378 $96,378
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 29, 2003.
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