HB1534eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB1534 Engrossed LRB095 04188 KBJ 24226 b

AN ACT concerning insurance.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Children's Health Insurance Program Act is amended by adding Section 65 as follows:

(215 ILCS 106/65 new)

Sec. 65. Children's Health Insurance Task Force.

(a) To ensure proper oversight of programs that have been created to provide access to quality, affordable health care for children residing in Illinois, there is hereby established the bipartisan Children's Health Insurance Task Force.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of 12 voting members, as follows: 3 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, 3 members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, 3 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 3 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader. All actions of the Task Force require the affirmative vote of at least 7 voting members.

Voting members appointed to the Task Force shall elect from among themselves 2 co-chairs, with the co-chairs representing different political parties.

Members appointed by the legislative leaders shall be appointed for the duration of the Task Force. In the event of a vacancy, the appointment to fill the vacancy shall be made by the same legislative leader who made the original appointment.

The following persons shall serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the Task Force: The Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, and the Director of the Division of Insurance of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The Task Force shall begin to conduct business upon the appointment of a majority of the voting members. Members shall serve without compensation.

(c) The Task Force shall gather information and make recommendations relating to access to quality, affordable health insurance for children in Illinois. The Task Force shall examine the cost effectiveness of current programs and assess whether programs are meeting goals established for the programs.

(d) The Task Force shall conduct public hearings in locations throughout the State at least every other month during the first year after the appointment of a majority of its voting members and as determined by a majority of its voting members in each year thereafter.

Comment and testimony at public hearings is to be sought from those served by State programs providing health insurance to children, employers located in Illinois, health care finance experts, and advocates for those receiving or in need of health insurance.

(e) The Task Force shall serve as an official forum for discussions concerning the implementation and oversight of current health insurance programs, including discussion on administrative rules needed to administer the programs.

(f) The Task Force shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly, with the first report due on December 31, 2007, and every December 31 thereafter.

(g) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide for the administrative expenses of the Task Force.

(h) The Task Force is abolished and this Section is repealed on January 1, 2012.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.