5. Part E of the bill imposes a 5¢ per package increase in the cigarette tax beginning December 1, 2005. Proceeds from the cigarette tax increase are paid to the Maine Health Care Trust Fund.

6. Part F of the bill directs the Maine Health Care Agency to ensure employment retraining for administrative workers employed by insurers and providers who are displaced by the transition to the Maine Health Care Plan. It directs the Maine Health Care Agency to study the delivery and financing of long-term care services to plan members. Consultation is required with the Maine Health Care Plan Transition Advisory Committee, representatives of consumers and potential consumers of long-term care services and representatives of providers of long-term care services, employers, employees and the public. A report by the committee to the Legislature is due January 1, 2007.

The Maine Health Care Agency is directed to study the provision of health care services under the MaineCare, Medicaid and Medicare programs, waivers, coordination of benefit delivery and compensation, reorganization of State Government necessary to accomplish the objectives of the Maine Health Care Agency and legislation needed to carry out the purposes of the bill. The agency is directed to apply for all waivers required to coordinate the benefits of the Maine Health Care Plan and the Medicaid and Medicare programs. A report by the agency is due to the Legislature by March 1, 2006.