An Act To Increase Access to Health Security by Expanding Federally Funded Health Care for Maine People
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0854
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: SANBORN, GRATWICK, BURSTEIN, EVES, GATTINE, HUBBELL, HYMANSON, ROTUNDO, MILLETT
Amends: 22 MRSA §3174-G

Legislative Document 
No. 854 
H.P. 588 
House of Representatives, March 11, 2015 
An Act To Increase Access to Health Security by Expanding 
Federally Funded Health Care for Maine People 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative SANBORN of Gorham. 
Cosponsored by Senator GRATWICK of Penobscot and 
Representatives: BURSTEIN of Lincolnville, Speaker EVES of North Berwick, GATTINE of 
Westbrook, HUBBELL of Bar Harbor, HYMANSON of York, McLEAN of Gorham, 
ROTUNDO of Lewiston, Senator: MILLETT of Cumberland. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §3174-G, sub-§1, ¶F, as amended by PL 2011, c. 380, Pt. KK, 
§2, is further amended to read: 
F.  A person 20 to 64 years of age who is not otherwise covered under paragraphs A 
to E when the person's family income is below or equal to 125% of the nonfarm 
income official poverty line, provided that the commissioner shall adjust the 
maximum eligibility level in accordance with the requirements of the paragraph. 
 (2)  If 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; and 
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §3174-G, sub-§1, ¶G, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 380, Pt. KK, 
§3, is amended to read: 
G.  A person who is a noncitizen legally admitted to the United States to the extent 
that coverage is allowable by federal law if the person is: 
(1)  A woman during her pregnancy and up to 60 days following delivery; or 
(2)  A child under 21 years of age.; 
Sec. 3.  22 MRSA §3174-G, sub-§1, ¶¶H and I are enacted to read: 
H.  Beginning January 1, 2016, a person 21 to 64 years of age who is not otherwise 
eligible for medical assistance under this section, who qualifies for medical assistance 
pursuant to 42 United States Code, Section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and who has 
income at or below 133% of the nonfarm income official poverty line plus 5% for the 
applicable family size as required by federal law.  A person eligible for medical 
assistance under this paragraph must receive the same coverage as is provided to a 
person eligible under paragraph E; and 
I.  Beginning October 1, 2019, a person 19 or 20 years of age who is not otherwise 
eligible for medical assistance under this section, who qualifies for medical assistance 
pursuant to 42 United States Code, Section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and who has 
income at or below 133% of the nonfarm income official poverty line plus 5% for the 
applicable family size as required by federal law.  A person eligible for medical 
assistance under this paragraph must receive the same coverage as is provided to a 
person eligible under paragraph E. 
SUMMARY 
This bill expands medical coverage under the MaineCare program to adults who 
qualify under federal law with incomes up to 133% of the nonfarm income official 
poverty line, with the 5% federal income adjustment for family size, and qualifies Maine 
to receive federal funding for 100% of the cost of coverage for members who enroll 
under the expansion.  Adults who will be eligible are those 21 to 64 years of age 
beginning January 1, 2016 and adults 19 and 20 years of age beginning October 1, 2019.