5.__Exception.__The purchasing pool formed pursuant to this section is eligible for group coverage without regard to the provisions of Title 24-A, section 2808.

6.__Rules.__The Commissioner of Human Services shall adopt rules necessary to administer the purchasing pool.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

7.__Funding.__Any initial funding required for the establishment and administration of a purchasing pool pursuant to this section must be allocated by the Legislature from the Fund for a Healthy Maine established in Title 22, section 1511.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a health coverage purchasing pool to make health coverage available through the power of a group purchase to residents of the State who are unable to obtain or to afford coverage. The bill requires covered persons to pay premiums to cover the costs of their coverage and any administrative costs. The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to select the health coverage plan to be offered through the purchasing pool and requires the commissioner to provide any necessary administrative services. The bill requires that at least one health plan offered by the purchasing pool have an annual deductible of $10,000. The purchasing pool is exempt from the prohibition on forming a group for the purpose of purchasing insurance provided in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 2808. The bill requires the commissioner to adopt rules to administer the purchasing pool. The bill also requires that any initial funding required for the establishment of the purchasing pool be allocated from the Fund for a Healthy Maine.