DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 22 Original 2019 Regular Session Edmonds
Abstract: Establishes a special joint committee, the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee to
monitor, review, and make recommendations relative to all aspects of the state Medicaid
program.
Proposed Joint Rule creates the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee to monitor, review, and make
recommendations relative to all aspects of the state Medicaid program, and provides that the
committee shall be composed of:
(1)Six members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker to reflect the makeup
of the membership of the House, to the extent practicable. Three members shall be members
of the appropriations committee and three shall be members of the health and welfare
committee.
(2)Six members of the Senate appointed by the president to reflect the makeup of the
membership of the Senate, to the extent practicable. Three members shall be members of the
finance committee and three shall be members of the health and welfare committee.
Proposed Joint Rule provides that the joint committee shall select a chairman and a vice chairman
from among its members and shall receive staff support from the committee staff of the House health
and welfare committee, the Senate health and welfare committee, the House appropriations
committee, the Senate finance committee, the legislative fiscal office, and the legislative auditor.
Proposed Joint Rule requires the joint committee to:
(1)Review how the medicaid program relates to the public and private provision of health care
coverage in this state and the U.S.
(2)Recommend policies and strategies to encourage both of the following:
(a)Medicaid recipients being physically and mentally able to join and stay in the
workforce and ultimately becoming self-sufficient.
(b)Healthy living, resulting in less use of the Medicaid program.
(3)Review the compliance of the La. Dept. of Health with all applicable laws and regulations. (4)Recommend, to the extent the joint committee deems appropriate, improvements in laws,
rules, and regulations concerning the Medicaid program.
(5)Develop a plan of action for the future of the Medicaid program.
Proposed Joint Rule authorizes the joint committee to:
(1)Plan, advertise, organize, and conduct forums, conferences, and other meetings to increase
knowledge and understanding of and to develop and propose improvements in the Medicaid
program.
(2)Prepare and issue reports on the Medicaid program.
Proposed Joint Rule provides that the joint committee shall have the power and authority of a
standing committee of either house to hold hearings, require the production of books and records,
and do all other things necessary to discharge its duties. Requires the joint committee to regularly
conduct meetings to fulfill its functions and duties and, no later than 30 days prior to each regular
session, to report all of its activities and recommendations to the presiding officer of each house, the
governor, the House health and welfare committee, the Senate health and welfare committee, the
House appropriations committee, the Senate finance committee, and the La. Dept. of Health or its
successor. Provides that the joint committee may call upon the staffs of any department, agency, or
official of the state, particularly the La. Dept. of Health, for data and assistance and may request and
utilize the assistance of any and all private sources.
Proposed resolution requires the speaker of the House and the president of the Senate to appoint the
members of the joint committee no later than 30 days after its adoption and requires a member of
the joint committee designated by the speaker to call the first meeting of the joint committee no later
than 10 days after all of the members of the committee are appointed and to preside until the joint
committee selects a chairman and a vice chairman.
(Adds Joint Rule No. 11)