35-25-105. Health benefits plan committee.

(a) A health benefits plan committee is hereby established and shall be composed of ten (10) members, which include:

(i) The director of the Wyoming department of health or his designee;

(ii) The director of the Wyoming department of family services or his designee;

(iii) The Wyoming insurance commissioner or his designee;

(iv) One (1) representative each, appointed by the governor, consisting of:

(A) An authorized insurer writing individual and group health insurance business in Wyoming;

(B) An employer;

(C) A parent;

(D) A licensed insurance agent experienced in selling health insurance;

(E) A licensed physician who specializes in pediatric care or family medicine;

(F) A licensed health care provider experienced in providing pediatric care; and

(G) A member of the general public.

(b) The terms of the committee members appointed by the governor shall be four (4) years. Members of the committee appointed prior to July 1, 2003 may continue to serve the remainder of their terms. The committee shall review on at least a biennial basis the form and level of benefits to be made available pursuant W.S. 35-25-104.

(c) The committee shall develop a package of benefits as allowed by 42 U.S.C. 1397cc(a)(4), including cost sharing factors, exclusions and limitations.

(d) The committee shall submit its recommendations to the director of the department for approval no later than October 1, 2003, and at least biennially thereafter.

(e) Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for travel and per diem in the same manner as state employees. Members may also be reimbursed for any committee-related expenses which receive prior approval by the department. Members shall not be otherwise compensated for their services.

(f) Committee meetings shall be open to the public.