2.__Addition of health service.__The addition of a health service that is to be offered by or on behalf of a health care facility that was not offered on a regular basis by or on behalf of the health care facility within the 12-month period prior to the time the services would be offered and that, for the 3rd fiscal year of operation, including a partial first year following addition of that service, is projected to entail incremental annual operating costs directly attributable to the addition of that health service of at least $400,000; or

3.__Addition of health care practitioner.__The addition in the private office of a health care practitioner, as defined in Title 24, section 2502, subsection 1-A, of new technology that costs $1,200,000 or more. The department shall consult with the Maine Quality Forum Advisory Council established pursuant to Title 24- A, section 6952, prior to determining whether a project qualifies as a new technology in the office of a private practitioner.__ Beginning September 30, 2004 and annually thereafter, the threshold amount for review must be updated by the commissioner to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index medical index.__ With regard to the private office of a health care practitioner, "new health service" does not include the location of a new practitioner in a geographic area.

"New health service" does not include a health care facility that extends a current service within the defined primary service area of the health care facility by purchasing within a 12-month time period new equipment costing in the aggregate less than the threshold provided in section 328, subsection 16;

Sec. C-6. 22 MRSA §328, sub-§27 is enacted to read:

27.__State Health Plan.__"State Health Plan" means the plan developed in accordance with Title 2, chapter 5.

Sec. C-7. 22 MRSA §329, sub-§§2 to 4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 664, §2, are amended to read:

2. Acquisitions of major medical equipment. Acquisitions of major medical equipment with a cost in the aggregate of $1,200,000 or more. The use of major medical equipment on a temporary basis in the case of a natural disaster, major accident or equipment failure and the use of replacement equipment do not require a certificate of need.__Beginning September 30, 2004 and annually thereafter, the threshold amount for review must be updated by the commissioner to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index medical index;