Sec. 1. 10 MRSA c. 102-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 102-A

MAINE HEALTH DATA PROCESSING CENTER

§681.__Establishment

The Maine Health Data Processing Center is hereby established to collect and process health care claims data in the State.__The center shall carry out its purposes in complement to and in coordination with the Maine Health Data Organization and the Maine Health Information Center.

The center exists as a not-for-profit corporation with a public purpose, and the exercise by the center of the powers conferred by this chapter is considered and held to be an essential governmental function.

§682.__Function of center

The Maine Health Data Processing Center is responsible for the collection and processing of health care claims data in coordination with existing state, regional and local agencies.__ Such efforts include, but are not limited to, providing for or stimulating the following provisions.

1.__Public, private partnerships. The Maine Health Data Processing Center shall strive to:

A.__Establish and maintain an all-payor and all-setting health care claims database system in addition to the Maine Health Data Organization's existing databases;

B.__Build upon the experience and expertise of the Maine Health Data Organization and the Maine Health Information Center to cost effectively collect, process, and maintain health care claims data; and

C.__Provide the Maine Health Data Organization with a health care claims database in a meaningful and timely manner for public dissemination subject to confidentiality requirements under subsection 2.

2.__Health care data. The Maine Health Data Processing Center shall: