General Fund 2003-04

All Other $400,000

________

General Fund Total $400,000

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Maine Catastrophic Health Protection Plan as a nonprofit insurance company. The plan provides catastrophic health insurance coverage to all state residents. The plan is governed by a 9-member board of directors. The bill requires that the plan begin offering coverage on July 1, 2005. The bill also appropriates $400,000 for planning activities and requires the board of directors to submit a comprehensive plan to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2004.