Sec. K-15. Review cost sharing requirements. The department shall review the cost sharing requirements in the MaineCare program in consultation with the Medicaid Advisory Committee and, by February 15, 2005, submit a report including proposed legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services for restructuring cost-sharing in the MaineCare program in a manner that places the least burden on those with the lowest incomes. The legislation must include a monthly aggregate cap that may vary by household income for each MaineCare household on which these costs are imposed.

Sec. K-16. Pursuit of federal funding for disproportionate share shortfall for institutions for mental disease and periodic reports. The Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Behavioral and Developmental Services shall work with the State's 2 freestanding, nonprofit psychiatric hospitals and the Maine Congressional Delegation to advocate for the elimination of the current federal cap on disproportionate share funds that are available for institutions for mental disease, or for other federal reforms, that would ensure adequate federal funding for the population served by those hospitals. The commissioners shall report their progress in writing to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than April 15, 2003 and quarterly thereafter over the state fiscal years ending June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2005. The initial report must quantify the impact of