Vermont § 402 - Medicaid and Exchange Advisory Committee

§ 402. Medicaid and Exchange Advisory Committee

• (a) A Medicaid and Exchange Advisory Committee is created for the purpose of advising
  the Commissioner of Vermont Health Access with respect to policy development and program
  administration for the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange, Medicaid, and Medicaid-funded
  programs, consistent with the requirements of federal law. (b)(1) The Commissioner of Vermont Health Access shall appoint members of the Advisory Committee
  established by this section, who shall serve staggered three-year terms. The total
  membership of the Advisory Committee shall be at least 22 members. The Commissioner
  may remove members of the Committee who fail to attend three consecutive meetings
  and may appoint replacements. The Commissioner may reappoint members to serve more
  than one term. (2)(A) The Commissioner of Vermont Health Access shall appoint one representative of health
  insurers licensed to do business in Vermont to serve on the Advisory Committee. The
  Commissioner of Health shall also serve on the Advisory Committee. (B) Of the remaining members of the Advisory Committee, one-quarter of the members shall
  be from each of the following constituencies: (i) beneficiaries of Medicaid or Medicaid-funded programs; (ii) individuals, self-employed individuals, health insurance brokers and agents, and representatives
  of businesses eligible for or enrolled in the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange; (iii) advocates for consumer organizations; and (iv) health care professionals and representatives from a broad range of health care professionals. (3) Members whose participation is not supported through their employment or association
  shall receive per diem compensation pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010 and reimbursement of travel expenses. In addition, members who are eligible for Medicaid
  or who are enrolled in a qualified health benefit plan in the Vermont Health Benefit
  Exchange and whose income does not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level
  shall also receive reimbursement of expenses, including costs of child care, personal
  assistance services, and any other service necessary for participation in the Advisory
  Committee and approved by the Commissioner. (c)(1) The Advisory Committee shall have an opportunity to review and comment on Agency policy
  initiatives pertaining to quality improvement initiatives and to health care benefits
  and eligibility for individuals receiving services through Medicaid, programs funded
  with Medicaid funds under a Section 1115 waiver, or the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange.
  It also shall have the opportunity to comment on proposed rules prior to commencement
  of the rulemaking process pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 and on waiver or waiver
  amendment applications prior to submission to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
  Services. (2) Prior to the annual budget development process, the Department of Vermont Health Access
  shall engage the Advisory Committee in setting priorities, including consideration
  of scope of benefits, beneficiary eligibility, health care professional reimbursement
  rates, funding outlook, financing options, and possible budget recommendations. (d)(1) The Advisory Committee shall make policy recommendations on proposals of the Department
  of Vermont Health Access to the Department, the Green Mountain Care Board, the Health
  Reform Oversight Committee, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the House
  Committees on Health Care and on Human Services. When the General Assembly is not
  in session, the Commissioner shall respond in writing to these recommendations, a
  copy of which shall be provided to the members of each of the legislative committees
  of jurisdiction and to the Green Mountain Care Board. (2) During the legislative session, the Commissioner shall provide the Advisory Committee
  at regularly scheduled meetings with updates on the status of policy and budget proposals. (e) The Commissioner shall convene the Advisory Committee at least 10 times during each
  calendar year. If at least one-third of the members of the Advisory Committee so choose,
  the members may convene up to four additional meetings per calendar year on their
  own initiative by sending a request to the Commissioner. The Department shall provide
  the Committee with staffing and independent technical assistance as needed to enable
  it to make effective recommendations. (f) A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and all action
  shall be taken upon a majority vote of the members present and voting. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 7, eff. July 1, 2012; amended 2011, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 35b; 2021, No. 20, § 278.)