| 4.__Establishment of statewide high-risk pool.__After 3 years |
| of operation, but no later than October 1, 2007, Dirigo Health |
| shall evaluate the impact of Dirigo Health on average premium |
| rates in this State and on the rate of uninsured individuals in |
| this State and compare the trends in those rates to the trends in |
| the average premium rates and average rates of uninsured |
| individuals for the 31 states that have established a statewide |
| high-risk pool as of July 1, 2003.__The board shall submit the |
| evaluation of the impact of Dirigo Health in this State in |
| comparison to states with high-risk pools to the joint standing |
| committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health |
| insurance matters by January 1, 2008. If the trend in average |
| premium rates in this State and rate of uninsured individuals |
| exceed the trend for the average among the 31 states with high- |
| risk pools, the board shall submit legislation on January 1, 2008 |
| to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature that |
| proposes to establish a statewide high-risk pool in this State |
| consistent with the characteristics of high-risk pools operating |
| in other states. |