10.__Plan.__"Plan" means the Maine Health Care Plan established by section 9804.

11.__Provider.__"Provider" means a person, organization, corporation or association that provides health care services and is authorized to provide those services under the laws of this State.__"Provider" includes persons and entities that provide healing, treatment and care for those relying on a recognized religious method of healing as provided for in the federal Social Security Act, Title XVIII and permitted under state law.

12.__Quality improvement foundation.__"Quality improvement foundation" means the quality improvement foundation designated by the Maine Health Data Organization pursuant to chapter 1683.

13.__Resident.__"Resident" means a person who has met the residency requirements as defined by rules adopted by the board pursuant to section 9805.

14.__State health resource plan.__"State health resource plan" means the state health resource plan adopted by the board pursuant to section 9809.

§9802.__Maine Health Care Authority established

The Maine Health Care Authority is established as an independent executive agency.__The authority has broad powers to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

1.__Board of directors.__The authority operates under the supervision of a board of directors that consists of 10 members.

A.__Seven members are appointed jointly by the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance matters and confirmation by the Legislature, as follows:

(1)__Two members must be providers;

(2)__Two members must be business representatives; and

(3)__Three members must be consumer representatives.__ For the purposes of this subparagraph, "consumer" means an individual who is not affiliated with or employed by