Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 101-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 101-A

PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

§261.__Prescription assistance program

There is established the prescription assistance program, referred to in this section as the "program," to provide lower cost prescription drugs to residents of the State of all ages who have unusually high prescription drug costs.

1.__Eligibility.__A person who resides in this State whose family income is below 300% of the nonfarm income official poverty line is eligible for enrollment in the program, except that persons enrolled in the Medicaid program are ineligible for enrollment.__For the purposes of this section, "nonfarm income official poverty line" means that poverty line applicable to a single person as defined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and updated annually in the Federal Register under authority of 42 United States Code, Section 9901(02).__ Eligibility must be determined by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services.

2.__Enrollment.__A person who resides in this State may apply for enrollment as an individual for a 12-month enrollment period as follows:

A.__At any time during the first 12 months of the program;

B.__At the time the person applies for the Maine Residents Property Tax Program under Title 36, chapter 907;

C.__Within 60 days of becoming ineligible for health insurance or for coverage under a public or private health coverage benefits program; or

D.__During the annual open enrollment period designated by the department.

3.__Qualifying amount.__After payment by the enrollee of $1,000 for qualifying drugs during the enrollment period, which amount is the "qualifying amount," the enrollee is eligible for program benefits.