Sec. A-9. Retention of funding for state fiscal years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in order to ensure the continuity of care for Maine's elderly and disabled persons during the transition to drug benefits under Medicare D, funds allocated or appropriated to the elderly low-cost drug program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 254 during state fiscal years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 do not lapse and may be transferred to another account or used for another purpose only after a vote of deappropriation or deallocation by the Legislature.

PART B

Sec. B-1. 22 MRSA §255-A is enacted to read:

§255-A.__Coordination of prescription and nonprescription

drug benefits

Beginning November 1, 2005, the department shall coordinate the drug benefits of persons who are eligible for prescription and nonprescription drugs under any 2 of the drug benefit programs covered by this section in order to increase access to needed prescription and nonprescription drugs at affordable costs.

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Drug benefit program" means Medicare D, the elderly low-cost drug program or MaineCare.

B.__"Elderly low-cost drug program" means the elderly low- cost drug program under section 254.