AB838: Bill Text

LRB-3957/3

MJL:hmh:kjf

2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE

2001 Assembly BILL 838

February 20, 2002 - Introduced by Representatives Wasserman, Cullen, Berceau, Gronemus, Jeskewitz, La Fave, J. Lehman, Miller, Seratti, Turner and Williams. Referred to Committee on Health.

AB838,1,2 An Act relating to: creating a health services committee and a prioritized list of diagnoses and treatments for purposes of medical assistance coverage.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill directs the governor to appoint a health services committee consisting of five physicians, a public health nurse, a dentist, a pharmacist, a social worker, two consumers of health care, one member from the clergy, and one member from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. The committee must create a list of health services, ranked from most important to least important, and their costs and submit this list to the legislature by September 15, 2003. The bill also requests the joint legislative council, in consultation with the committee, to propose legislation by the same date that would substitute the committee's list of health services for the statutory list of services eligible for medical assistance reimbursement; ensure that the reimbursement rates for providers of medical assistance are not reduced as a result of the substitution; and ensure that all persons with incomes below the federal poverty level are eligible for medical assistance.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB838, s. 1 Section 1. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB838,2,2 (1) (a ) There is created a health services committee consisting of all of the following:

AB838,2,6 1. Five physicians, one of whom is nominated by the State Medical Society, who are licensed to practice medicine in this state and who have clinical expertise in family practice, obstetrics, pediatrics, perinatal medicine, internal medicine, geriatrics, or public health.

AB838,2,7 2. A public health nurse.

AB838,2,8 3. A dentist nominated by the Wisconsin Dental Association.

AB838,2,9 4. A pharmacist.

AB838,2,10 5. A social worker.

AB838,2,11 6. Two consumers of health care.

AB838,2,12 7. One person from the clergy, as defined in s. 765.002 (1).

AB838,2,13 8. One person from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

AB838,2,15 (b) The governor shall designate one of the members of the committee as the chairperson.

AB838,2,24 (c) The health services committee shall create a list of health services ranked from most important to least important, showing the comparative benefits of each service to the entire population to be served. The committee shall retain an actuary to determine the costs of the services. On or before September 15, 2003, the committee shall submit the list created under this paragraph and the costs of the services on this list to the legislature in the manner provided under section 13.172 (2) of the statutes. The committee ceases to exist when the committee has submitted the list and the cost of expenses to the legislature, or on September 15, 2003, whichever occurs first.

AB838,3,6 (2) (a ) The joint legislative council is requested to propose legislation, in consultation with the health services committee, that would substitute the list created under subsection (1) for the eligible list of services under section 49.46 (2) (b) of the statutes; ensure that reimbursement rates for providers of medical assistance are not reduced as a result of the substitution; and ensure that all persons with incomes below the federal poverty level are eligible for medical assistance.

AB838,3,9 (b) If the council undertakes to propose legislation, it shall model the legislation, to the extent practicable, after the Oregon Health Plan, and it shall report its proposed legislation to the legislature by September 15, 2003.

AB838,3,10 (End)