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LD 843

An Act To Continue Funding For The Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donna Bailey and 1 co-sponsor

Provides two $300,000 one-time transfers to Maine's AG to contract a nonprofit for the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program, helping consumers with coverage and appeals.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#affordable #consultationservices #healthcareservices
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Bill Summary · LD 843

Summary — LD 843: An Act To Continue Funding for the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program

Status: Became law without the Governor’s signature (enacted 2025-06-19)
Introduced: 2025-03-04
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Statutory reference (program): Maine Rev. Stat., Title 24-A § 4326

Purpose

LD 843 provides funding to continue operation of Maine’s Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program by directing the Department of the Attorney General (AG) to contract with a designated nonprofit, independent consumer assistance entity. The program helps consumers with health insurance issues (questions, complaints, navigation and appeals).

Key provisions

  • Appropriates one-time Other Special Revenue Funds of:
    • $300,000 in FY 2025‑26; and
    • $300,000 in FY 2026‑27.
  • Directs the State Controller to transfer these amounts from available balances in the Bureau of Insurance Other Special Revenue Funds (within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation) to the Department of the Attorney General on:
    • November 1, 2025 (first $300,000), and
    • June 30, 2026 (second $300,000).
  • Authorizes the Department of the Attorney General to contract with a nonprofit, independent health insurance consumer assistance entity to continue program operations under the existing statute (Title 24‑A, § 4326).
  • Requires receipt of the consumer assistance program’s report and preparation of any legislative report by the AG; associated AG administrative costs are expected to be minor and absorbed within existing resources.

Note: Earlier draft fiscal notes showed alternative funding scenarios (including proposals for ongoing General Fund support). The bill as enacted provides the two one‑time transfers from Bureau of Insurance special revenues.

Who is affected

  • Consumers of health insurance in Maine who use the Consumer Assistance Program for help with coverage questions, complaints, appeals and navigation.
  • The nonprofit organization designated by the AG to operate the program (contracted service provider).
  • Department of the Attorney General (contract management and reporting duties).
  • Bureau of Insurance / Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (source of transferred special revenue balances).

Fiscal impact and timeline

  • Total authorized: $600,000 (two $300,000 transfers across FY 2025‑26 and FY 2026‑27).
  • Funding is one‑time and drawn from existing Bureau of Insurance Other Special Revenue Fund balances; no ongoing General Fund appropriation in the final enacted version.
  • AG administrative impact: minimal and manageable within current budgets.
  • Key transfer dates: Nov 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Legislative actions (selected)

  • Committee Amendment “A” (S‑241) was adopted; bill passed both chambers in early June 2025 and was enrolled and enacted without the Governor’s signature on June 19, 2025.

This legislation preserves continuity of the consumer assistance program for the near term by providing specified one‑time funding and delegates program operation to a contracted nonprofit under AG oversight.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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