1. There is hereby established in the department of social services the “MO HealthNet Oversight Committee”, which shall be appointed by January 1, 2008, and shall consist of nineteen members as follows:

(1) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the minority floor leader of the house of representatives;

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(2) Two members of the Senate, one from each party, appointed by the president pro tem of the senate and the minority floor leader of the senate;

(3) One consumer representative who has no financial interest in the health care industry and who has not been an employee of the state within the last five years;

(4) Two primary care physicians, licensed under chapter 334, who care for participants, not from the same geographic area, chosen in the same manner as described in section 334.120;

(5) Two physicians, licensed under chapter 334, who care for participants but who are not primary care physicians and are not from the same geographic area, chosen in the same manner as described in section 334.120;

(6) One representative of the state hospital association;

(7) Two nonphysician health care professionals, the first nonphysician health care professional licensed under chapter 335 and the second nonphysician health care professional licensed under chapter 337, who care for participants;

(8) One dentist, who cares for participants, chosen in the same manner as described in section 332.021;

(9) Two patient advocates who have no financial interest in the health care industry and who have not been employees of the state within the last five years;

(10) One public member who has no financial interest in the health care industry and who has not been an employee of the state within the last five years; and

(11) The directors of the department of social services, the department of mental health, the department of health and senior services, or the respective directors’ designees, who shall serve as ex officio members of the committee.

2. The members of the oversight committee, other than the members from the general assembly and ex officio members, shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. A chair of the oversight committee shall be selected by the members of the oversight committee. Of the members first appointed to the oversight committee by the governor, eight members shall serve a term of two years, seven members shall serve a term of one year, and thereafter, members shall serve a term of two years. Members shall continue to serve until their successor is duly appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the oversight committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Members shall serve on the oversight committee without compensation but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses from moneys appropriated to the department of social services for that purpose. The department of social services shall provide technical, actuarial, and administrative support services as required by the oversight committee. The oversight committee shall:

(1) Meet on at least four occasions annually, including at least four before the end of December of the first year the committee is established. Meetings can be held by telephone or video conference at the discretion of the committee;

(2) Review the participant and provider satisfaction reports and the reports of health outcomes, social and behavioral outcomes, use of evidence-based medicine and best practices as required of the health improvement plans and the department of social services under section 208.950;

(3) Review the results from other states of the relative success or failure of various models of health delivery attempted;

(4) Review the results of studies comparing health plans conducted under section 208.950;

(5) Review the data from health risk assessments collected and reported under section 208.950;

(6) Review the results of the public process input collected under section 208.950;

(7) Advise and approve proposed design and implementation proposals for new health improvement plans submitted by the department, as well as make recommendations and suggest modifications when necessary;

(8) Determine how best to analyze and present the data reviewed under section 208.950 so that the health outcomes, participant and provider satisfaction, results from other states, health plan comparisons, financial impact of the various health improvement plans and models of care, study of provider access, and results of public input can be used by consumers, health care providers, and public officials;

(9) Present significant findings of the analysis required in subdivision (8) of this subsection in a report to the general assembly and governor, at least annually, beginning January 1, 2009;

(10) Review the budget forecast issued by the legislative budget office, and the report required under subsection (22) of subsection 1 of section 208.151, and after study:

(a) Consider ways to maximize the federal drawdown of funds;

(b) Study the demographics of the state and of the MO HealthNet population, and how those demographics are changing;

(c) Consider what steps are needed to prepare for the increasing numbers of participants as a result of the baby boom following World War II;

(11) Conduct a study to determine whether an office of inspector general shall be established. Such office would be responsible for oversight, auditing, investigation, and performance review to provide increased accountability, integrity, and oversight of state medical assistance programs, to assist in improving agency and program operations, and to deter and identify fraud, abuse, and illegal acts. The committee shall review the experience of all states that have created a similar office to determine the impact of creating a similar office in this state; and

(12) Perform other tasks as necessary, including but not limited to making recommendations to the division concerning the promulgation of rules and emergency rules so that quality of care, provider availability, and participant satisfaction can be assured.

3. The provisions of section 23.253 shall not apply to sections 208.950 to 208.955.