This bill proposes the repeal of the existing Children's Health Policy Advisory Board and modifies the membership structure of the Medical Services Fund Advisory Council to align with federal regulations under 42 CFR 431.12. The advisory council will now include representatives from the West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program Board and will assume the duties of the previous advisory board. The membership will be expanded from a minimum of nine to eleven members, with specific nominations required from various professional associations, including the West Virginia Pharmacist Association and the Hospice Council of WV. Additionally, a new requirement mandates that a percentage of council members come from the newly established Beneficiary Advisory Council.

The bill also establishes the Medicaid Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC), which will serve as a platform for Medicaid recipients and their families to provide feedback on Medicaid policies and administration. The BAC will meet quarterly and is designed to ensure that the experiences of those directly affected by Medicaid services are considered in policy development. Membership appointments for the BAC will be made by the Medicaid Commissioner, and the council's decisions will serve as recommendations rather than binding decisions. The bill aims to enhance the representation and involvement of stakeholders in the Medicaid program in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-4-3, 9-4-5