This paragraph takes effect January 1, 2004 and is repealed July 1, 2007.

Sec. E-21. Report by Superintendent of Insurance. The Superintendent of Insurance shall submit a report no later than January 1, 2007 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters on any decisions by the superintendent to allow health insurance carriers to offer health plans in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 4303, subsection 1, paragraph A. The report must include information on the number of enrollees covered under these plans, the financial provisions used in the plans and the designated providers that enrollees are encouraged to use under the plans, including their locations. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters may report out legislation to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature to remove the repeal date of Title 24-A, section 4303, subsection 1, paragraph A.

Sec. E-22. Report on medical malpractice awards. The Superintendent of Insurance shall submit a report, no later than January 1, 2005, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters regarding medical malpractice lawsuits, damage awards for noneconomic damages in those lawsuits and the cost and availability of medical malpractice insurance in this State. As part of its review, the superintendent shall consult with representatives of the medical community, legal community and medical malpractice insurance industry regarding these issues. At a minimum, the report must address the impact on the cost of malpractice insurance of a cap on noneconomic damages of $250,000 in malpractice lawsuits. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters may report out legislation to the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature in response to the report.

PART F

Sec. F-1. Voluntary limits to control growth of insurance and health care costs; report.

1. Voluntary restraint. In order to control the rate of growth of costs of health care and health coverage, the Legislature asks the cooperation of health care practitioners, hospitals and health insurance carriers.