A. The Advisory Committee on Medical Care for Public Assistance Recipients, created by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, pursuant to 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 431.12, for the purpose of advising the Authority about health and medical care services, shall include among its membership the following:

1. Board-certified physicians and other representatives of the health professions who are familiar with the medical needs of low-income population groups and with the resources available and required for their care. The Advisory Committee shall, at all times, include at least one physician from each of the six classes of physicians listed in Section 725.2 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes; provided, however, such physicians shall be participating providers in the State Medicaid Plan;

2. Members of consumers' groups, including, but not limited to:

a.Medicaid recipients, and

b.representatives from each of the following consumer organizations which represent the interests of:

(1)people who are economically disadvantaged,

(2)children,

(3)the elderly,

(4)people with mental illness,

(5)people who are developmentally disabled, and

(6)people with alcohol or substance abuse problems;

3. The Director of the Department of Human Services; and

4. A member approved and appointed by the Oklahoma Academy of Pediatrics who shall:

a.monitor provider relations with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and

b.create a forum to address grievances.

B. The Advisory Committee shall meet bimonthly to review and make recommendations related to:

1. Policy development and program administration;

2. Policy changes proposed by the Authority prior to consideration of such changes by the Authority;

3. Financial concerns related to the Authority and the administration of the programs under the Authority; and

4. Other pertinent information related to the management and operation of the Authority and the delivery of health and medical care services.

C. 1. The Administrator of the Authority shall provide such staff support and independent technical assistance as needed by the Advisory Committee to enable the Advisory Committee to make effective recommendations.

2. The Advisory Committee shall elect from among its members a chair and a vice-chair. A majority of the members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but no vacancy shall impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of the Advisory Committee.

3. Members shall not receive any compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed pursuant to the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act, Section 500.1 et seq. of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D. The Authority shall give due consideration to the comments and recommendations of the Advisory Committee in the Authority's deliberations on policies, administration, management and operation of the Authority.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 291, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1992. Amended by Laws 1996, c. 213, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1996. Renumbered from § 187.1 of Title 56 by Laws 1996, c. 213, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1996. Amended by Laws 2006, c. 315, § 17, emerg. eff. June 9, 2006.