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 of Representatives, to the extent practicable. Three
members shall be members of the House Committee on Appropriations and three shall be
members of the House Committee on Health and Welfare.
(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 Senate Committee on Finance and three members shall be members of the Senate
Committee on Health and Welfare.
Proposed Joint Rule provides that the joint committee shall select a chairman and a vice chairman
from among its members and provides that the position of chairman and vice chairman shall rotate
in even-numbered years on the second Mon. in Jan. between the House and Senate members of the
joint committee. Further provides that the joint committee 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 healthcare
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 conduct
regular 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 adoption of the proposed resolution 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 are appointed and to preside until the
joint committee selects a chairman and a vice chairman.
(Adds Joint Rule No. 11)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Provide for the rotation of the position of chairman and vice chairman between the House
and the Senate.