53-6-710. Advisory council — duties. (1) There is an advisory council to review requests for proposals issued and contracts proposed to be awarded under this part.

(2)The advisory council consists of seven members appointed as follows:

(a)two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, at least one of whom must be a health care provider;

(b)two members appointed by the president of the senate, at least one of whom must be a health care provider; and

(c)three members appointed by the governor, at least one of whom must be a health care provider.

(3)Members shall serve staggered, 3-year terms.

(4)When the department proposes to seek a medicaid waiver for managed care, the council shall conduct the following activities before the department issues a request for proposal and after it has selected a vendor but before a contract is awarded:

(a)hold a public hearing in the geographic area that would be affected by the program or contract in order to:

(i)educate medicaid recipients, health care providers, and the public residing in the area about the provisions of the proposed program or contract and the consumer’s options; and

(ii)accept public comment about the proposed program or contract;

(b)submit a report if managed care is in place of its findings related to the public comment process to the children, families, health, and human services interim committee in accordance with 5-11-210, the legislative auditor’s office, and the department.

(5)The council shall meet according to a schedule adopted by a majority vote of the council.

(6)The council is attached to the department for administrative purposes only, and members are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503.