§ 42-12.4-9. Demonstration implementation taskforce. (a) Purpose. The general assembly is committed to a public participatory process to implement Medicaid reform through the demonstration. To assure such a process, following final acceptance of the demonstration by the state, the executive office of health and human service and the department of human services shall establish a demonstration implementation taskforce. The taskforce shall work collaboratively with the executive office of health and human services and the department of human services to plan, design, and implement changes to the Medicaid program under the demonstration and to evaluate the impact of such changes and of the demonstration.

(b) Chair. The taskforce shall be co-chaired by a senior state official of EOHHS/DHS and a member of the community who is knowledgeable about the Medicaid program and the populations and services it funds in Rhode Island as well as with the provisions of the demonstration.

(c) Taskforce composition. There are distinct populations that receive services funded through the Medicaid program including: children and youth with special health-care needs, adults and children with developmental disabilities, adults with serious and persistent mental illness and/or addiction disorders and children with severe emotional disturbance, adults with disabilities, adults age sixty-five (65) and older and low-income children and families. It is the intent of the general assembly that the taskforce includes members who are knowledgeable about the needs of these populations and the services currently provided to them.

Members of the taskforce shall be appointed by the director of the department of human services. The membership shall include: for each distinct population two (2) consumers or family members of consumers, one member of an advocacy organization and one member of a policy organization; a representative from organizations that either provide or represent entities that provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries including, but not limited to, health plans, hospitals community health centers, community mental health organizations, licensed substance abuse treatment providers, licensed health-care practitioners, nursing facilities, and home and community-based service providers.

Total membership shall not exceed forty-five (45) individuals. The executive office of health and human services/department of human services shall provide necessary staff support to effectively operate the taskforce.

(d) Duration. The taskforce shall remain in effect so long as the demonstration is in effect.

(e) Meeting frequency and relationship to the permanent joint committee of the demonstration compact:

The taskforce shall meet no less than monthly and shall report on its activities to the permanent joint committee of the demonstration compact established pursuant to § 42-12.4-5. The permanent joint committee shall appoint a member to serve as a liaison to the taskforce.

History of Section. (P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 22, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 69, § 1.)