Introduced By: Reps. Moura, Barone, Benoit, Coderre & Costantino
Date Introduced : February 3, 1998
RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of seventeen (17) members: three (3) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker; three (3) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a licensed psychiatrist, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a licensed psychologist, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the National Association of Social Workers, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of United Health Plan of New England, to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the National Federation of Independent Business, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Health Insurance Association of America, to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be the Mental Health Advocate, or his designee; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Council of Community Mental Health Centers, to be appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; and one (1) of whom shall be the director of the Department of Health or her designee.
In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.
The purpose of said commission shall be to study the information required by health plans to conduct utilization and managed care reviews of mental health providers and to make recommendations to the Senate/House with respect thereto.
Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the Speaker and organize and shall select from among the legislators a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is requested or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
The Speaker is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission shall report it findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before February 1, 1999 and said commission shall expire on April 1, 1999.
