Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 603, sub-c. 1 is amended by repealing the subchapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

SUBCHAPTER 1

MAINE RX PLUS PROGRAM

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §2681, as amended by PL 2001, c. 358, Pt. Q, §6 and c. 405, §2 and affected by §3, is further amended by repealing the section headnote and enacting the following in its place:

§2681. Maine Rx Plus Program established

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §2681, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 786, Pt. A, §3, is amended to read:

The Maine Rx Plus Program, referred to in this subchapter as the "program," is established to reduce prescription drug prices and to improve the quality of health care for residents of the State. The program is designed for the State to administered by the department and must utilize manufacturer rebates and pharmacy discounts to reduce prescription drug prices. In implementing the program, the State shall serve as a pharmacy benefit manager in establishing rebates and discounts on behalf of qualified residents.

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §2681, sub-§§1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 786, Pt. A, §3, are amended to read:

1. Program goals. The Legislature finds that affordability is critical in providing access to prescription drugs for Maine residents. This subchapter is enacted by the Legislature to enable the State to act as a pharmacy benefit manager in order take steps to make prescription drugs more affordable for qualified Maine residents, thereby increasing the overall health of Maine residents, promoting healthy communities and protecting the public health and welfare, and to integrate the program as part of any statewide program for the uninsured. It is not the intention of the State to discourage employers from offering or paying for prescription drug benefits for their employees or to replace employer-sponsored prescription drug benefit plans that provide benefits comparable to those made available to qualified Maine residents under this subchapter.

2. Definitions. As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.