Resolve, to Study the Establishment of a MaineCare Public Health Plan
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1856
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: ARFORD, JACKSON, CLUCHEY, COLLINGS, MASTRACCIO, PERRY, PRINGLE, TALBOT ROSS, BAILEY, GROHOSKI

Legislative Document
No. 1856
H.P. 1186
House of Representatives, May 2, 2023
Resolve, to Study the Establishment of a MaineCare Public Health 
Plan
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ARFORD of Brunswick.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, COLLINGS of Portland, MASTRACCIO of 
Sanford, PERRY of Calais, PRINGLE of Windham, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland, 
Senators: BAILEY of York, GROHOSKI of Hancock.
Sec. 1.  Study established.  Resolved: That the Office of Affordable Health Care 
established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 3122 shall study, in consultation 
with the Department of Health and Human Services, the options for establishing a 
MaineCare public health plan.
Sec. 2.  Experts; staff assistance.  Resolved: That to the extent resources are 
available, the Office of Affordable Health Care may solicit the services of one or more 
outside experts to assist in the study under section 1.  Upon request of the Office of 
Affordable Health Care, the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department 
of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance; and the Department of 
Labor shall provide staffing assistance to complete the study.
Sec. 3.  Recommendations.  Resolved:  That, no later than January 31, 2024, the 
Office of Affordable Health Care shall submit a report, including suggested legislation to 
create the MaineCare public health plan, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health 
Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services.  The Office of Affordable Health Care shall 
include in its report recommendations regarding:
1.  Applying for waivers, exemptions and approvals from State Government and the 
Federal Government that are necessary to transfer health care funding from the Federal 
Government and from any state departments and agencies to the MaineCare public health 
plan;
2. Applying for waivers, exemptions and approvals from the Federal Government that 
are necessary to establish MaineCare eligibility for all full-time residents of the State, 
including immigrants who may not yet be United States citizens;
3.  How to transfer to the MaineCare public health plan all state and federal funds 
associated with programs for which the MaineCare public health plan will assume 
responsibility;
4.  How to offer the MaineCare public health plan through the Maine Health Insurance 
Marketplace established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 5403, along with 
other mechanisms of delivery;
5. How to offer the MaineCare public health plan through other means, including how 
other states may be offering a Medicaid public option plan; and
6.  Any other recommendations necessary to implement the MaineCare public health 
plan.
The Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature related 
to the report.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Office of Affordable Health Care to study, in consultation with 
the Department of Health and Human Services, the options for establishing a MaineCare 
public health plan.  It directs the Office of Affordable Health Care to submit a report to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services no later 
than January 31, 2024 with its recommendations, including any suggested legislation.  The 
committee may report out legislation related to the report.