Joint Order Establishing the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Costs

ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Costs is established as follows.

1. Joint Select Committee on Health Care Costs established. The Joint Select Committee on Health Care Costs, referred to in this order as "the committee," is established.

2. Membership. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, section 5, the committee consists of 17 members, appointed as follows:

AFive members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and with preference to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs; andBTwelve members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and with preference to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.

3. Committee chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the committee and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the committee.

4. Appointments; convening of committee. All appointments must be made by June 20, 2011. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee, which may not be held before June 20, 2011. If by June 20, 2011 a majority but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the committee to meet and conduct its business.

5. Duties. The committee shall review current health care costs in this State, including, but not limited to, the costs for health care delivery and health insurance, and determine the State's opportunities for reducing overall health care costs.

6. Consultation with stakeholders. The committee shall consult with stakeholders including the Office of the Governor; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance; health insurance companies; hospitals; health care providers; business and labor representatives; and advocates for health care reform.

7. Staff assistance. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, subsection 6, the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.

8. Report. No later than December 7, 2011, the committee shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.