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S. 243
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Grooms
Document Path: l:\council\bills\bbm\10533mm05.doc
Introduced in the Senate on January 12, 2005
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs
Summary: Health Care Access Commission created
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/12/2005 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-27 1/12/2005 Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-27
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE ACCESS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION IS DISSOLVED JUNE 30, 2008, OR AT THE CONCLUSION OF ITS WORK, WHICHEVER OCCURS EARLIER.
Whereas, nineteen percent of citizens are uninsured at any point during the year; and
Whereas, most of the uninsured work or are the dependent of someone who works; and
Whereas, fifty-three percent of small employers do not offer group-sponsored health insurance; and
Whereas, thirty-six percent of the uninsured who are eligible for an employer-sponsored plan list affordability as the reason they were not enrolled in the plan at work; and
Whereas, sixty-two percent of eligible individuals do not enroll in public programs because they do not want to receive government support or do not want the government to provide their health coverage; and
Whereas, the provision of an integrated and coordinated system of care which maximizes the public's access to medical facilities is a cost effective way of providing high quality holistic and comprehensive care that meets the needs of the majority of the population. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is hereby created the South Carolina Commission on Healthcare Access to be composed of seven members as follows:
(1) two members to be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee;
(2) two members to be appointed by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee;
(3) the Director of the Department of Insurance and the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services shall serve as ex officio members of the commission;
(4) a seventh member to be appointed by the Governor who shall serve as chairman.
A vacancy on the commission must be filled in the manner of original appointment. A quorum for transacting business at all meetings of the commission shall consist of a majority of the membership of the commission.
The commission shall meet as often and at any location in the State as the commission considers necessary or expedient for the duration of the commission's existence as provided by this joint resolution.
(B) The commission's objectives include:
(1) providing the direction and leadership for implementing a plan for a Medicaid Expansion Program for working adults of small business. The commission shall consider a program that will provide a statewide employer coverage option that would cover all of the employees in a group plan, and that would subsidize the premium for individuals/families whose income falls at or below one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level;
(2) developing appropriate legislation that will allow existing and new nonprofit community-based health care programs to raise funds through prepayment fees. These fees are to be used to expand programs, increase participant size, or increase provider reimbursement. The plan design, fees, and networks must be based on the community needs;
(3) seeking funding to develop educational programs to prepare South Carolinians to be more informed health care consumers and the beneficiaries of this should include children, adults, employers, and providers.
(C) To accomplish the objectives of subsection (B), the commission, in its discretion, may:
(1) receive testimony of employees of the State or other witnesses who may assist the commission in its duties;
(2) call for assistance in the performance of its duties from employees or agencies of the State or of its political subdivisions; and
(3) adopt by majority vote rules not inconsistent with this resolution it considers proper with respect to matters relating to the discharge of its duties pursuant to this resolution.
(D)(1) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation and may not receive the per diem, mileage, and subsistence as allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions when engaged in the exercise of their duties as members of the commission.
(2) The commission shall receive staff support from the Governor's Office, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
(3) The commission is empowered to receive and disburse state and federal grants for furtherance of the commission's objectives.
(4) All executive departments and agencies of the state government shall cooperate with the commission in the performance of its duties.
(E) The commission shall publish on the Department of Insurance's web-site agendas, minutes, and related commission information. After the accomplishment of the commission's work, or by June 30, 2008, whichever occurs earlier, the commission is dissolved.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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