Delaware Code Title 29 Sec. 9604 – Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee
(a) There is hereby established a Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee ( “Subcommittee” ). The Subcommittee shall be comprised of the Lieutenant Governor, the Insurance Commissioner, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources, 1 member of each caucus of the Delaware House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, and 1 member of each caucus of the Delaware State Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore. In addition, the Governor shall appoint 1 retired state employee from each County and 1 representative of a union of state employees, the Speaker of the House shall appoint 1 representative of a union of state employees, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint 1 representative of a union of state employees. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as Chair, and the members of the majority caucus from the House of Representatives and the Senate shall serve as Co-Vice Chairs of the Subcommittee. Appointed members may not attend Subcommittee meetings through a designee. The Delaware Department of Justice shall provide legal support and the Department of Human Resources shall provide administrative support to the Subcommittee. Additional support shall be provided by the State Office of Pensions and Department of Finance as may be requested by the Chairs.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 29 Sec. 9604
- Caucus: From the Algonquian Indian language, a caucus meant "to meet together." An informal organization of members of the legislature that exists to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for its members. There are regional, political or ideological, ethnic, and economic-based caucuses.
- Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
- President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
- State: means the State of Delaware; and when applied to different parts of the United States, it includes the District of Columbia and the several territories and possessions of the United States. See Delaware Code Title 1 Sec. 302
(b) The General Assembly recognizes the importance and urgency of addressing Delaware retiree healthcare benefits. Thus, the Subcommittee shall have the following powers, duties and functions:
(1) Conduct public meetings and receive public comment about current and future Delaware retiree healthcare benefits, including the previously proposed Medicare Advantage Plan for Delaware retirees, while taking into consideration the previous work of the State Employee Benefits Committee and the Retirement Benefit Study Committee.
(2) In the course of its work, consider how reporting and analyses regarding Medicare Advantage Plans nationwide relate to the terms of the previously proposed Medicare Advantage Plan for Delaware retirees;
(3) Study, review, and evaluate the fiscal and other implications of the extension of the existing Medicare Supplement plan to January 1, 2024.
(4) Evaluate options for continuing to provide strong Delaware retiree healthcare benefits in a fiscally sustainable way, including options to maintain their current coverage similar to residents in other states that offer a choice to buy into a Medicare Supplement plan.
(5) By May 1, 2023, issue findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly about the foregoing as they relate to the Fiscal Year 2024 Delaware budget.