(2) If the maximum eligibility level is raised above 100% of the poverty level pursuant to this paragraph and subsequently the commissioner reasonably anticipates the cost of the program to exceed the budget of the population described in this paragraph, the commissioner shall lower the maximum eligibility level to the extent necessary to provide coverage to as many persons as possible within the program budget.

(3) The commissioner shall give at least 30 days' notice of the proposed change in maximum eligibility level 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.

(4) The department must begin offering coverage 3 months after obtaining approval of a waiver of coverage from the United States Department of Health and Human Services or on October 1, 2002, whichever is later.

For the purposes of this subsection, the "nonfarm income official poverty line" is that applicable to a family of the size involved, 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 9902(2). For purposes of this subsection, "program budget" means the amounts available from both federal and state sources to provide federally approved Medicaid services.

Sec. A-6. 22 MRSA §3174-DD is enacted to read:

§3174-DD.__Dirigo health coverage

The department may contract with one or more health insurance carriers to purchase Dirigo Health Insurance for MaineCare members who seek to enroll through their employers pursuant to Title 24-A, section 6910, subsection 4, paragraph B.__A MaineCare member who enrolls in a Dirigo Health Insurance plan