PART A

Sec. A-1. 22 MRSA §3174-DD, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §6, is amended to read:

§3174-DD. Dirigo health coverage

The department may shall contract with one or more health insurance carriers to purchase Dirigo Health Insurance for MaineCare members who seek to enroll through their employers pursuant to Title 24-A, section 6910, subsection 4, paragraph B. A MaineCare member who enrolls in a Dirigo Health Insurance plan as a member of an employer group receives full MaineCare benefits through Dirigo Health Insurance. The benefits are delivered through the employer-based health plan Dirigo Health Insurance, subject to nominal cost sharing as permitted by 42 United States Code, Section 1396o(2003) and additional coverage provided under contract by the department.

Sec. A-2. 24-A MRSA §6902, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8, is amended to read:

§6902. Dirigo Health established; declaration of necessity

Dirigo Health is established as an independent executive agency to arrange for the provision of comprehensive, affordable health care coverage to eligible small employers, including the self-employed, their employees and dependents, and individuals on a voluntary basis. Dirigo Health is also responsible for monitoring and improving the quality of health care in this State. The exercise by Dirigo Health of the powers conferred by this chapter must be deemed and held to be the performance of essential governmental functions.

Sec. A-3. 24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§§5, 6 and 7, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8, are repealed.

Sec. A-4. 24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§7-A is enacted to read:

7-A.__Eligible individual.__"Eligible individual" means an individual who is a resident of this State.

Sec. A-5. 24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§§8 and 12, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8, are repealed.

Sec. A-6. 24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§13, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8, is amended to read: