The Maine Senate has given final approval to a measure intended to put Maine's Dirigo Health Insurance program on a healthier financial footing.  The House approved the bill Friday, and Gov. John Baldacci, the bill's sponsor, is expected to sign it.

The bill provides an alternative to the Dirigo Health Program's current funding mechanism, a so-called "savings offset" fee assessed on insurers, which is based on how much health care savings the program generates.  Because the amount of savings is difficult to accurately nail down, the system has led to court battles.

Instead of relying on savings estimates, the new system will assess a fixed 2.14 percent fee on paid claims.  The Maine House passed the measure Friday by a vote of 83 to 53, and the Senate followed suit today by a vote to 20 to 15.