1. (a) The Ombudsman shall establish an Advisory Council to consist of members representing:

   1. (1) Consumers;
   2. (2) Consumer advocacy organizations and legal service providers, including at least one organization with a focus on public benefits;
   3. (3) Health benefits plans;
   4. (4) Health care facilities;
   5. (5) Physicians;
   6. (6) The Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program or any successor charged with counseling Medicare beneficiaries pursuant to section 4360 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990, approved November 5, 1990 (104 Stat. 1388-138; 42 U.S.C.§ 1395b-4);
   7. (7) The Department of Health, including its Office of Maternal and Child Health and its Grievance and Appeals Office;
   8. (8) The Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking;
   9. (9) DHS; and
   10. (10) DHCF.

2. (b) The Advisory Council shall perform, at minimum, the following functions:

   1. (1) Advise the Ombudsman on program design and operational issues;
   2. (2) Recommend the criteria to be used in evaluating the performance of the Ombudsman Program;
   3. (3) Recommend changes in the Ombudsman Program; and
   4. (4) Review data on cases handled by the Ombudsman Program and make recommendations based on that data.

History

Apr. 12, 2005, D.C. Law 15-331, § 12, 52 DCR 1981

Dec. 6, 2025, D.C. Law 26-55, § 5212(h)

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5212(h) of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-146, Sept. 3, 2025, 72 DCR 9623).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 5212(h) of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-210, Nov. 24, 2025, 72 DCR 13514).