C. Coordinate eligibility for the MaineCare program with eligibility for the federal Medicare program to ensure that MaineCare members who are eligible for Medicare Part D benefits do not incur any loss of benefits as compared to other MaineCare members or cost sharing above what they would otherwise be required to pay in the MaineCare program.

Sec. C-3. Interest on delinquent rebates. By October 15, 2005 the Department of Health and Human Services shall adopt procedures to ensure the assessment and collection within the MaineCare program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, chapter 855 and the elderly low-cost drug program under Title 22, section 254 of an appropriate rate of interest on drug rebate amounts that are late in payment to the department from the responsible manufacturer of prescription drugs.

PART D

Sec. D-1. 22 MRSA §3174-HH is enacted to read:

§3174-HH.__Maximization of veterans' benefits

The department shall conduct a review of__benefits available to veterans and their spouses and dependents and shall adopt procedures to provide information to potentially eligible veterans and their spouses and dependents and to maximize veterans' benefits.__The department shall undertake the following initiatives.

1.__Determination of possible eligibility.__The department shall determine the possible eligibility for federally funded health benefits of veterans, their spouses and dependents who are applicants for or members in the MaineCare program under this chapter or who are applicants for or who receive benefits under the elderly low-cost drug program under section 254. For those veterans and their spouses and dependents whom the department determines to be possibly eligible for federally funded health benefits, the department shall provide information on those