2006 Kansas Code - 46-2507

      46-2507.   Health care reform oversight committee; members, appointment; meetings; duties; subcommittees. (a) Health care reform for all Kansans is a matter of general public interest. It is a matter that should be addressed by those persons elected by the voters to make public policy. The prospect of federal legislation affecting state laws and regulations requires that the state have the legislative and administrative expertise to promptly make the necessary adjustments in both laws and regulations as required by federal law. Further, regardless of the federal proposal enacted, each such proposal relies ultimately on the state for implementation in the crucial areas of insurance reform, quality assurance, availability of service and administrative structure to implement the reform program. The legislature must be prepared to respond timely but deliberately to safeguard the public health and welfare of all Kansans.

      (b)   There is hereby created the health care reform legislative oversight committee, hereinafter "committee," to oversee the necessary changes in state laws and regulations made necessary by federal law and, to the fullest extent possible, implement health care reform specific to Kansas needs.

      (1)   The committee shall be composed of 12 members of the legislature appointed as follows:   Three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; three members of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; three members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; and three members of the senate appointed by the minority leader of the senate. The president of the senate shall designate a senator member to be chairperson of the committee as provided in this section. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate a representative member to be chairperson of the committee as provided in this section. The minority leader of the senate shall designate a senate member to be vice-chairperson of the committee as provided in this section. The minority leader of the house of representatives shall designate a representative member to be vice-chairperson of the committee as provided in this section. The secretary of health and environment, the secretary of social and rehabilitation services, the director of the budget and the commissioner of insurance shall be advisors to the committee.

      (2)   A quorum of the committee shall be seven. All actions of the committee may be taken by a majority of those present when there is a quorum. In even-numbered years the chairperson of the committee shall be the designated member of the senate from the convening of the regular session of that year until the convening of the regular session of the next ensuing year. In odd-numbered years, the chairperson of the committee shall be the designated member of the house of representatives from the convening of the regular session in that year until the convening of the regular session in the next ensuing year. In even-numbered years, the vice-chairperson of the committee shall be the designated member of the house of representatives from the convening of the regular session in that year until the convening of the regular session in the next ensuing year. In odd-numbered years, the vice-chairperson of the committee shall be the designated member of the senate from the convening of the regular session of that year until the convening of the regular session of the next ensuing year. The vice-chairperson shall exercise all of the powers of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.

      (3)   The committee shall be designated a standing joint committee of the legislature and shall have such powers and duties as hereinafter provided. Funding of operations of the committee shall be made from moneys appropriated to the legislature and expenditures of the committee shall be approved by the legislative coordinating council. Administrative support for the committee shall be provided by the division of legislative administrative services.

      (4)   The health care reform legislative oversight committee shall meet on call of the chairperson as authorized by the legislative coordinating council. All such meetings shall be held in Topeka unless authorized to be held in a different place by the legislative coordinating council. Members of the committee shall receive compensation and travel expenses and subsistence expenses or allowances as provided in K.S.A. 75-3212 and amendments thereto, when attending meetings of such committee authorized by the legislative coordinating council.

      (c)   The health care reform legislative oversight committee shall:

      (1)   Examine changes in federal laws affecting Kansas and propose such changes in Kansas laws and regulations as are necessary to meet the federal requirements.

      (2)   Cooperate and interact with agencies of the federal government responsible for health care reform.

      (3)   Consider all health care financing and delivery options now in effect taking into account the actions of other states and the federal government.

      (4)   Work cooperatively with all relevant state and federal agencies, health care providers, payors and consumer groups in the development of an integrated health plan for all Kansans.

      (5)   Receive, analyze and make recommendations related to the state health care data base developed by the health care data governing board.

      (6)   Develop plans for health care cost containment.

      (7)   Study and make recommendations for legislative action to integrate health care financing and coverage with other states.

      (8)   Recommend legislative actions necessary to assure accessibility of services to residents of underserved areas.

      (9)   Provide recommendations if federal or state laws require inclusion of the medical care component of workers compensation and automobile insurance into all inclusive health care coverage.

      (10)   Make recommendations on tort reform for medical liability and for state antitrust reform and federal antitrust modifications.

      (d)   The committee may appoint advisory subcommittees as it deems appropriate but shall at least name the following:

      (1)   Administrative subcommittee. This subcommittee shall be composed of the secretary of health and environment, the secretary of social and rehabilitation services, the secretary of aging, the director of the budget and such other state or local governmental agency officials as are named by the committee.

      (2)   Insurance subcommittee. This subcommittee shall be composed of the commissioner of insurance, a representative of a domestic insurance carrier, a representative of a foreign insurance company, a representative of the managed care industry and such others as are named by the committee.

      (3)   Employer subcommittee. This subcommittee shall be composed of a representative of statewide business organization having large and small employer members, a representative of an organization having only small employer members, a representative of organized labor and such other members as are named by the committee.

      (4)   Provider subcommittee. This subcommittee shall be composed of a representative of a statewide physicians group, a statewide nursing group, a statewide hospital group and such other provider groups as are named by the committee.

      (5)   Consumer subcommittee. This subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of consumers of health care in this state as are named by the committee.

      (e)   All subcommittees shall meet and report at the direction of the committee, but in no event shall the subcommittees report less than quarterly. All meetings shall be subject to the Kansas open meetings act. Members of the advisory subcommittees shall not be paid compensation, subsistence allowances, mileage or other expenses as otherwise may be authorized by law for attending meetings of the advisory subcommittees.

      (f)   The committee may introduce legislation.

      (g)   All officers and employees of the state shall provide such information and assistance as may be deemed necessary by the committee. Staff assistance shall be provided by the office of the revisor of statutes, the legislative research department and such other legislative offices and employees as may be directed by the legislative coordinating council.

      (h)   The department of health and environment is hereby designated the contact agency for the state of Kansas with reference to federal health care reform measures. The department of health and environment shall not make any decision with reference to federal health care reform measures not otherwise authorized by the legislature or which would be inconsistent with existing law.

      (i)   The provisions of this section shall expire on July 1, 2001.

      History:   L. 1999, ch. 60, § 1; July 1.