An Act to Offset
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 2208
Committee Amendment CA_B_H988 (House)
Amends: 22 MRSA §3198

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ".D" to H,P. 1487, L.D. 2208, "An Act to Offset
Federal Cuts to Health Insurance for Certain Maine Families and Seniors"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'An Act to Offset the Loss of Federal Health Insurance Premium Assistance and to
Provide Ongoing Funding for the ]Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance
Association'
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the
following:
'See. 1. 22 MRSA §3198 is enacted to read:
S3198. Health Care Premium Stabilization Fund
1. Fund established. The Health Care Premium Stabilization Fund. referred to m this
section as "the fund." is established as a dedicated. nonlaosme fund administered by the
department to maintam coveraee for residents of the State throueh the Maine Health
Insurance Marketplace, established in chapter 1479.
2. Sources of fund. The fund consists of amounts apm'opriated or allocated by the
State, The department may receive money from any gift, erant. contribution. legislative
apDroDriation. allocation or transfer or bond proceeds.
3, , UsesMfund^^^^^^^ department shall use the fund to establish a state subsidy to offset
the financial impact of the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Public Law 117-2. The subsidy must be used to
increase the amount of assistance available to those previously eligible for subsidies under
the federal Affordable Care Act. Public Law111-148 and to expand assistance to those
with an income at or above 400% of the federal poverty level if the recimeDt's monthly
2 premium cost of the second lowest cost silver health plan. as described in the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Section 36Bfby3YB\ would, prior to the receipt of a
subsidy under this section. exceed 8.5% of the recipient's monthly household income.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to H.P.1487, L.D,2208
4. State subsidy; treatment for fax purposes. The department shall implement this
section in a manner that minimizes the impact of any subsidy on a recipient's income for
federal tax purposes to the greatest extent permissible under federal law and the law of this
State. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, for Maine income tax
purposes, the amount ofany subsidy provided to a recioient may not be considered income,
5. Rulemakine. The department may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules
adouted pursuant to this subsection are routme technical rules as defined in Title 5. chapter
375. subchaoter 2-A,
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Miscellaneous Acts and Resolves - Finance 0306
Initiative: Appropriates ongoing funding to be distributed to the Maine Guaranteed Access
Reinsurance Association to support the reinsurance program.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AllOther $0 $40,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $40,000,000
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2025-26 2026-27
2324 GENERAL FUND $0 $40,000,000
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS $0 $40,000,000
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Health Care Premium Stabilization Fund N566
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for the Health Care Premium Stabilization Fund,
including one-time funds for equipment and technology costs, The technology funds will
be used to implement changes in the enrollment and eligibility system for state subsidy
program eligibility determination, as well as changes to premium, coverage and billing
information.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AllOther $0 $17,300,000
Capital Expenditures $0 $8,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $25,300,000
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2025-26 2026-27
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to H,P, 1487, L.D. 2208
GENERAL FUND $0 $25,300,000
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $0 $25,300,000
SECTION TOTALS 2025-26 2026-27
GENERAL FUND $0 $65,300,000
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $0 $65,300,000
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbermg any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively,
SUMMARY
This amendment, which is the minority report of the committee, replaces the bill,
changes the title and does the following,
1. It establishes the Health Care Premium Stabilization Fund to provide $ 17.3 million
in one-tune funding to establish a state subsidy to offset the fmancial impact of the
expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits under the American Rescue Plan Act of
2021 to those residents of the State who receive health care coverage under the Maine
Health Insurance Marketplace who were previously eligible for subsidies under the federal
Affordable Care Act.
2. It provides ongoing fanditig of $40 million to the Maine Guaranteed Access
Reinsurance Association to increase the reinsurance program,
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved; 04/02/26 i-KL.
LD 2208 LR 2772(03)
An Act to Offset Federal Cuts to Health Insurance for Certain Maine Families and Seniors
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ^" ,
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 FY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $65,300,000 $40,000,000 $40,000,000
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $0 $65,300,000 $40,000,000 $40,000,000
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services of
$40,000,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to be distributed to the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association,
This bill also includes a one-time General Fund appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services of
$25,300,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to implement the provisions of the bill,
The Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that $150,000,000 would be required to completely
restore the loss of federal subsidies.
^v
LR2772(03) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1