Whereas, workers displaced by foreign trade competition face hardship in obtaining affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for themselves and their dependents; and

Whereas, the federal government has created a program of health coverage tax credits to assist such workers in the purchase of health care coverage; and

Whereas, this legislation is necessary to facilitate the implementation of the federal program; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §285, sub-§11 is enacted to read:

11.__Coverage for persons eligible under federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002.__The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Division of Employee Health and Benefits may provide, through a qualified insurance company, a group health plan product for individuals certified to receive federal assistance in paying for health coverage under the terms of the health coverage tax credit program within the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002, Public Law 107-210.__Certification of eligibility will be made by the Department of Labor.__Individuals may enroll eligible dependents.__ Individuals eligible for enrollment in this group health plan remain eligible for enrollment and coverage through the duration of their federal trade adjustment assistance eligibility and for one month after their federal trade adjustment assistance eligibility status ends.

Any person who is receiving a benefit payment from the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and who has attained the age of 55, but who is not eligible for Medicare benefits, may also enroll in the group health plan.__These individuals may enroll eligible dependents.

Premium rates must be established to reflect the costs of providing insurance coverage.__Premium payments must be provided by the United States Department of Labor and individual