MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ADVISORY COMMITTEES

(a) The executive commissioner shall appoint a medical care advisory committee to advise the executive commissioner and the commission in developing and maintaining the medical assistance program and in making immediate and long-range plans for reaching the program's goal of providing access to high quality, comprehensive medical and health care services to medically indigent persons in the state. To ensure that qualified applicants receive services, the committee shall consider changes in the process the commission uses to determine eligibility. (b) The executive commissioner shall appoint the committee in compliance with the requirements of the federal agency administering medical assistance. The appointments shall: (1) provide for a balanced representation of the general public, providers, consumers, and other persons, state agencies, or groups with knowledge of and interest in the committee's field of work; and (2) include one member who is the representative of a managed care organization. (c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules for membership on the committee to provide for efficiency of operation, rotation, stability, and continuity. (d) The executive commissioner may appoint regional and local medical care advisory committees and other advisory committees as considered necessary.