2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 12M - Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee.

Article 12M.

Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee.

§ 120‑70.110.  Creation and membership of Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee.

There is established the Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee. The Committee consists of 16 members as follows:

(1)       Eight members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, at least three of whom are members of the minority party; and

(2)       Eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least three of whom are members of the minority party.

Terms on the Committee are for two years and begin on the convening of the General Assembly in each odd‑numbered year, except the terms of the initial members, which begin on appointment. Members may complete a term of service on the Committee even if they do not seek reelection or are not reelected to the General Assembly, but resignation or removal from service in the General Assembly constitutes resignation or removal from service on the Committee.

A member continues to serve until the member's successor is appointed. A vacancy shall be filled within 30 days by the officer who made the original appointment. (1997‑443, s. 22.1(b); 1998‑1, s. 2(a).)

 

§ 120‑70.111.  Purpose and powers of Committee.

(a)       The Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee shall review, on a continuing basis, the provision of health care and health care coverage to the citizens of this State, in order to make ongoing recommendations to the General Assembly on ways to improve health care for North Carolinians. To this end, the Committee shall study the delivery, availability, and cost of health care in North Carolina. The Committee shall also review, on a continuing basis, the implementation of the State Health Insurance Program for Children established under Part 8 of Article 2 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes. As part of its review, the Committee shall advise and consult with the Department of Health and Human Services as provided under G.S. 108A‑70.21. The Committee may also study other matters related to health care and health care coverage in this State.

(b)       The Committee may make interim reports to the General Assembly on matters for which it may report to a regular session of the General Assembly. A report to the General Assembly may contain any legislation needed to implement a recommendation of the Committee.

(c)       The Committee may use employees of the Legislative Services Office and may employ contractual services as approved by the Legislative Services Commission to review and monitor, on a continuing basis, the implementation of the Health Insurance Program for Children established under Part 8 of Article 2 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes. The Committee shall have access to all records of the Department of Health and Human Services pertaining to the Health Insurance Program for Children and shall be kept apprised by the Department of communications between the Department and the Health Care Financing Administration with respect to development, submission, and approval of and amendments to the State Plan for the Health Insurance Program for Children. The Committee and its employees shall also be entitled to attend all meetings and have access to all records of the North Carolina Teachers' and State Employees' Comprehensive Major Medical Plan pertaining to the Health Insurance Program for Children that are not confidential in accordance with G.S. 135‑37. G.S 135‑37 shall be applicable to the Health Insurance Program for Children to the same extent that is applicable to teachers and State employees. (1997‑443, s. 22.1(b); 1998‑1, s. 2(c).)

 

§ 120‑70.112.  Organization of Committee.

(a)       The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair of the Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee. The Committee shall meet at least once a quarter and may meet at other times upon the joint call of the cochairs.

(b)       A quorum of the Committee is eight members. No action may be taken except by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. While in the discharge of its official duties, the Committee has the powers of a joint committee under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4.

(c)       Members of the Committee receive subsistence and travel expenses as provided in G.S. 120‑3.1. The Committee may contract for consultants or hire employees in accordance with G.S. 120‑32.02. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. Upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission, the Supervisors of Clerks of the Senate and of the House of Representatives shall assign clerical staff to the Committee. The expenses for clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. (1997‑443, s. 22.1(b).)

 

§§ 120‑70.113 through 120‑70.119.  Reserved for future codification purposes.