§ 42-12.4-9. Demonstration implementation taskforce.
(a) Purpose. The general assembly is committed to a public participatory process to implement Medicaid
reform through the demonstration. To assure such a process, following final acceptance
of the demonstration by the state, the executive office of health and human service
and the department of human services shall establish a demonstration implementation
taskforce. The taskforce shall work collaboratively with the executive office of health
and human services and the department of human services to plan, design, and implement
changes to the Medicaid program under the demonstration and to evaluate the impact
of such changes and of the demonstration.
(b) Chair. The taskforce shall be co-chaired by a senior state official of EOHHS/DHS and a member
of the community who is knowledgeable about the Medicaid program and the populations
and services it funds in Rhode Island as well as with the provisions of the demonstration.
(c) Taskforce composition. There are distinct populations that receive services funded through the Medicaid program
including: children and youth with special healthcare needs, adults and children with
developmental disabilities, adults with serious and persistent mental illness and/or
addiction disorders and children with severe emotional disturbance, adults with disabilities,
adults age sixty-five (65) and older, and low-income children and families. It is
the intent of the general assembly that the taskforce includes members who are knowledgeable
about the needs of these populations and the services currently provided to them.
Members of the taskforce shall be appointed by the director of the department of human
services. The membership shall include: for each distinct population two (2) consumers
or family members of consumers, one member of an advocacy organization and one member
of a policy organization; a representative from organizations that either provide
or represent entities that provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries including, but
not limited to, health plans, hospitals community health centers, community mental
health organizations, licensed substance abuse treatment providers, licensed healthcare
practitioners, nursing facilities, and home and community-based service providers.
Total membership shall not exceed forty-five (45) individuals. The executive office
of health and human services/department of human services shall provide necessary
staff support to effectively operate the taskforce.
(d) Duration. The taskforce shall remain in effect so long as the demonstration is in effect.
(e) Meeting frequency and relationship to the permanent joint committee of the demonstration
compact:
The taskforce shall meet no less than monthly and shall report on its activities to
the permanent joint committee of the demonstration compact established pursuant to
§â€‚42-12.4-5. The permanent joint committee shall appoint a member to serve as a liaison to the
taskforce.