1. A. Sections 1010.1 through 1010.7 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Medicaid Healthcare Options Act".
2. B. In order to establish a coordinated approach to delivering and monitoring health care services and to ensure an efficient and appropriate level of quality health care services to eligible persons requiring such services, there is hereby established a statewide managed care system of comprehensive health care delivery through the Oklahoma Medicaid Program, which shall include, but not be limited to, prepaid capitated plans and primary case management plans, and which shall be offered in all geographic areas of the state.
3. C. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall provide coverage under the state Medicaid program to children under the age of eighteen (18) years whose family incomes do not exceed one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level.

4. D.

   1. 1. There is hereby created to continue until February 1, 2000, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage. The Task Force shall be composed of ten (10) members as follows:

      1. a. five senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be appointed to serve as co-chair of the Task Force, and
      2. b. five representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed to serve as co-chair of the Task Force.

   2. 2.

      1. a. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled by the original appointing authority.
      2. b. The co-chairs of the Task Force shall convene the first meeting of the Task Force on or before September 15, 1999. A majority of the members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.
      3. c. Members shall not be compensated for their service but shall be reimbursed by their appointing authorities for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
   3. 3. The Task Force may solicit advice and participation from interested parties, including, but not limited to, uninsured families, advocates, health care providers, health insurance providers, and business representatives.
   4. 4. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the State Department of Health, the Insurance Commissioner, the State Employee Benefits Council, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and other state agencies shall assist with the work of the Task Force as necessary.
   5. 5. The Task Force shall be staffed by the legislative staffs of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

5. E.

   1. 1. The Task Force shall develop recommendations for providing health insurance coverage for uninsured individuals and families who are not currently eligible for the state Medicaid program and whose incomes do not exceed two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level.

   2. 2. Such recommendations shall include options for:

      1. a. providing coverage under the state Medicaid program,
      2. b. operating a private insurance program administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority or other appropriate state agency,
      3. c. providing private coverage under private health insurance plans, and
      4. d. other approaches as determined by the Task Force.

   3. 3. In developing such options, the Task Force may review strategies that:

      1. a. utilize monies received by this state, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 of Section J of Public Law 105-33, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, to contract with a private health insurer for a program for children up to eighteen (18) years of age in families with incomes between one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) and two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level, and
      2. b. optimize continuity of children's and families' health care coverage.
   4. 4. Such options shall provide for payment of premiums on a sliding fee scale.
   5. 5. Options presented by the Task Force shall address ways to access federal Title XXI funds under the State Children's Health Insurance Program for eligible participants.
   6. 6. The Task Force shall submit a report of its recommendation to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before February 1, 2000.

Laws 1993, SB 76, c. 336, § 1, emerg. eff. July 1, 1993; Amended by Laws 1997, SB 639, c. 421, § 1 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 1999, SB 495, c. 288, § 1, eff. September 1, 1999 (superseded document available).