Sec. 1. 24 MRSA c. 29 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 29

ACCESS TO HEALTH COVERAGE

§3321.__Health coverage purchasing pool

There is established the health coverage purchasing pool, referred to in this section as the "purchasing pool," to provide access to health coverage at affordable prices to residents of the State who are unable to purchase coverage through their employment or on the private market or who are unable to afford the premiums for that coverage.__The following provisions apply to the purchasing pool.

1.__Negotiations; purchase.__Beginning November 1, 2001, the Commissioner of Human Services shall negotiate, by competitive bidding, with health insurers and health maintenance organizations licensed under Title 24-A for the purchase of health coverage for residents of the State.__The commissioner shall use the commissioner's best efforts to negotiate lower premiums for group coverage than would be available in the individual market.__Group coverage through the purchasing pool must begin by January 1, 2002. The master policy for group health coverage under this section must be held by the commissioner.

2.__Premiums.__Residents who obtain coverage through the purchasing pool must pay premiums to the Department of Human Services to cover the full cost for such coverage for those residents and any dependents and any administrative costs incurred by the purchasing pool.

3.__Selection of health coverage plan.__The Commissioner of Human Services shall select the health coverage plan or plans to be offered through the purchasing pool.__At least one health plan offered through the purchasing pool must be a plan with a deductible of $10,000.__The commissioner shall conduct all business for the purchasing pool on behalf of the group members and potential members.

4.__Eligibility.__Residents of the State and their dependents who are not offered coverage through their employment; who are not able to purchase coverage through their employment; or who do not have insurance in the private market are eligible for coverage through the purchasing pool established pursuant to this section.__Residents and their dependents who receive