Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1718 is enacted to read:

§1718.__Free clinics

A health care facility licensed under this Title as a federally qualified health center, federally qualified look- alike or rural health clinic that provides free primary and preventive care services may purchase prescription drugs and medical supplies for patients who utilize the health centers for free services or supplies through an arrangement with the department, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Public Safety or any agency or entity that purchases prescription drugs or medical supplies through a contract with the State.__By January 1, 2004, the department, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety shall adopt rules to implement this section.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill allows health care facilities that are federally qualified health centers, federally qualified look-alikes or rural health centers that provide primary and preventive care services to purchase through state agencies or state contracts prescription drugs and medical supplies for patients to whom they provide free care. The bill requires rulemaking by January 1, 2004 to implement the directive.