MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations
By: Representative Scott (80th)
AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF MERGING VARIOUS STATE HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL MAKE A REPORT OF ITS WORK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2003; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to study the feasibility of merging various state health care programs and developing a comprehensive plan of service that would provide the services currently provided by those health care programs. The state health care programs that the task force shall study are the Medicaid program, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the State and School Employees Health Insurance Program, and the task force may include other state health care programs in its study as deemed appropriate.
(2) The task force shall be composed of nine (9) members, as follows:
(a) The Chairs of the Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Insurance Committee of the House of Representatives;
(b) The Chairs of the Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Insurance Committee of the Senate; and
(c) Five (5) persons appointed by the Governor.
(3) At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chair and vice chair from its membership, and shall adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records. Members of the task force shall receive a per diem in the amount provided in Section 25-3-69 for each day engaged in the business of the task force. Members of the task force other than the legislative members shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the task force in accordance with Section 25-3-41, and the legislative members of the task force shall receive the expense allowance provided for in Section 5-1-47.
(4) Not later than December 1, 2003, the task force shall make a report of its work and recommendations, and shall submit a copy of the report to the Legislature and the Governor.
(5) The task force shall be assigned to the Governor's Office for administrative purposes only, and the Governor's Office shall designate staff to assist the task force. The task force may solicit grants, donations and other funds, and may accept and expend any funds that are made available to the task force to carry out its purpose.
(6) All agencies, departments, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges, shall cooperate with the task force with such assistance as requested by the task force.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.