Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-G, sub-§1-B is enacted to read:

1-B.__Elderly prescription drug program.__The department shall apply to the federal Health Care Financing Administration for a waiver to provide Medicaid prescription drug benefits to qualified persons 62 years of age and over whose household income is less than or equal to 185% of the nonfarm income official poverty line.__Coverage may not begin before July 1, 1999 and until the waiver application has been approved.__Coverage must begin within 90 days of the date that the waiver application is approved.

Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §6162-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. RR, §6, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

2.__Household income.__An individual is eligible under this program if the household income, as defined in section 6201, subsection 7, is less than or equal to 185% of the nonfarm income official poverty line.__The official poverty line is that applicable to a household of the size involved, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with the Federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Section 673, Subsection 2.

SUMMARY

This bill expands the elderly low-cost drug program to cover those who meet the age and disability requirements and whose income is less than or equal to 185% of the federal poverty level. The current income limitation is approximately 131% of the federal poverty level.

This bill directs the Department of Human Services to seek a Medicaid waiver from the federal Health Care Financing Administration to provide Medicaid prescription drug benefits for persons 62 years of age and over whose income is less than or equal to 185% of the federal poverty level.