REFERENCE TITLE: medical services; purchase; study committee

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HB 2218

Introduced by

Representatives Butler: Blackwater-Nygren, Cano, Fernandez B, Powers Hannley

AN ACT

Establishing the medical services purchase program study committee.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Medical services purchase program study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A. The medical services purchase program study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1. Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who are members of different political parties. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

2. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who are members of different political parties. The president of the senate shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

3. The director of the Arizona health care cost containment system administration or the director's designee.

4. A representative of an organization that is engaged in supporting small businesses in this state who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

5. A representative of a nonprofit organization that engages in health care policy who is appointed by the president of the senate.

6. A representative of an organization that provides support to hospitals in this state who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

7. A representative of a membership organization that works to improve the level of health and well-being through advocacy, professional development and networking who is appointed by the president of the senate.

8. A representative of an organization that is engaged in supporting commerce in this state who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

9. A representative of a public university in this state who is appointed by the president of the senate.

10. A representative of an organization that provides support for health plans offered through the Arizona health care cost containment system who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

11. A representative of an organization that promotes and facilitates the development and delivery of primary health care through advocacy, education and technical assistance who is appointed by the president of the senate.

12. A representative of a nonpartisan alliance of health and human service agencies, faith-based communities and advocacy networks who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

13. A representative of a coalition of patient health organizations advocating for people living with chronic care conditions who is appointed by the president of the senate.

B. The study committee shall research and make recommendations for establishing and implementing a medical services purchase program. The study committee shall focus on the feasibility and implications of allowing individuals to access insurance coverage through this state's existing medicaid program.

C. The study committee may hold hearings, conduct fact-finding tours and take testimony from witnesses who may assist the study committee in fulfilling its responsibilities.  All hearings of the study committee hearings shall be open to the public.

D. The legislature shall provide staff and support services to the study committee.

E. Study committee members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

F. On or before March 1, 2023, the study committee shall submit a report regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

G. This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2023.