AB738: Bill Text

AB738,19,12 (c) Maintain an office.

AB738,19,13 (d) Sue and be sued.

AB738,19,15 (e) Accept gifts, grants, loans, or other contributions from private or public sources.

AB738,19,17 (f) Establish the authority's annual budget and monitor the fiscal management of the authority.

AB738,19,19 (g) Execute contracts and other instruments, including contracts for any professional services required for the authority.

AB738,19,21 (h) Employ any officers, agents, and employees that it may require and determine their qualifications and compensation.

AB738,19,22 (i) Procure liability insurance.

AB738,19,23 (2) The authority may not issue bonds.

AB738,19,25 238.15 Catastrophic health care reinsurance program. (1) In addition to all other duties under this chapter, the authority shall do all of the following:

AB738,20,4 (a) Study options and develop recommendations for implementing a reinsurance program to provide reinsurance to groups or individuals, or both, in this state for catastrophic claims under group or individual, or both, health insurance policies.

AB738,20,7 (b) No later than September 15, 2009, submit to the secretary of administration a report with its recommendations for implementing a reinsurance program described in par. (a).

AB738,20,9 (c) Develop and administer a reinsurance program in accordance with any legislation enacted that requires or authorizes the authority to do so.

AB738,20,11 (2) (a) In developing its recommendations for a reinsurance program under sub. (1), the authority shall do all of the following:

AB738,20,12 1. Develop guidelines for defining high-cost claims and attachment points.

AB738,20,14 2. Set premiums to be paid for the reinsurance coverage, based on the number of covered lives included in the reinsurance pool.

AB738,20,15 3. Set coinsurance rates for claims paid.

AB738,20,16 4. Design all other program features.

AB738,20,17 (b) The authority may do all of the following:

AB738,20,20 1. Consider the impact of, and make recommendations to the governor on, allowing health benefit purchasing cooperatives to participate in a reinsurance program implemental under this section.

AB738,20,24 2. Evaluate the challenges faced by American Indian tribes and bands in this state and other sectors of the group health insurance market and make recommendations to the governor on proposals to reduce health insurance premiums for the tribes and bands and other sectors.

AB738,21,3 3. Explore other ways to lower health care costs and to increase access to and improve the quality of health care, including considering options for comprehensive health care reform.

AB738,21,7 (3) The authority may contract with a vendor to administer any reinsurance program implemented under this section, including the performance of such responsibilities as estimating reinsurance premiums, paying claims, customer service, and day-to-day administration.

AB738,21,19 238.20 Annual evaluations. Annually, after implementation of any reinsurance program under this section, the authority shall contract with an independent entity to conduct an evaluation of the program and a financial audit of the most recent fiscal year ending before the audit. The program evaluation shall include a review of best practices that may impact appropriate use of health care and disease management. The authority shall make any necessary adjustments or improvements if, as a result of the evaluation or audit, problems or deficiencies are determined to exist. After each evaluation and audit, the authority shall explore the feasibility of expanding the program to cover more state residents. The authority shall submit to the governor a report of the results of each evaluation and audit no later than January 1 of the year beginning after the year in which the evaluation and audit are conducted.

AB738, s. 36 Section 36. 285.59 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB738,22,4 285.59 (1) (b) "State agency" means any office, department, agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law which that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Fox River Navigational System Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, and the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority, and the Catastrophic Care Authority.

AB738, s. 37 Section 37. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB738,22,9 (1) Initial terms of board members. Notwithstanding the lengths of terms of the members of the board of directors of the Catastrophic Care Authority specified in section 238.05 (1) (intro.) of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial members shall be appointed for the following terms:

AB738,22,11 (a) The 4 members specified under section 238.05 (1) (a) to (d) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms that expire on July 1, 2010.

AB738,22,13 (b) Four members specified under section 238.05 (1) (e) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms that expire on July 1, 2011.

AB738,22,15 (c) Five members specified under section 238.05 (1) (e) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms that expire on July 1, 2012.

AB738,23,4 (2) Provisional appointments of board members. Notwithstanding the requirement for senate confirmation of the appointment of the members of the board of directors of the Catastrophic Care Authority under section 238.05 (1) (e) of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial members may be provisionally appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. Any such appointment shall be in full force until acted upon by the senate, and when confirmed by the senate shall continue for the remainder of the term, or until a successor is chosen and qualifies. A provisional appointee may exercise all of the powers and duties of the office to which such person is appointed during the time in which the appointee qualifies. Any appointment made under this subsection that is withdrawn or rejected by the senate shall lapse. When a provisional appointment lapses, a vacancy occurs. Whenever a new legislature is organized, any appointments then pending before the senate shall be referred by the president to the appropriate standing committee of the newly organized senate.

AB738,23,5 (End)