(a) The Healthcare Quality and Payment Policy Advisory Committee is created.
(b)
(1) Except as provided under subdivision (b)(2) of this section, the committee shall consist of the following seven (7) voting members:
(A) Three (3) members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, including:
(i) One (1) physician in good standing with the Arkansas State Medical Board;
(ii) One (1) member nominated by the Arkansas Hospital Association, Inc. who represents hospitals with more than one hundred (100) beds; and
(iii) One (1) medical director of a commercially owned insurance company participating with the Division of Medical Services of the Department of Human Services in the Arkansas Health Care Payment Improvement Initiative;
(B) Three (3) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including:
(i) Two (2) physicians nominated by the Arkansas Medical Society, Inc.; and
(ii) One (1) member nominated by the Arkansas Hospital Association, Inc. who represents hospitals with fewer than one hundred (100) beds; and
(C) The Director of the Division of Medical Services of the Department of Human Services.
(2)
(A) For purposes of reviewing a draft rule related to long-term care services and supports, the committee shall include the following five (5) additional voting members:
(i) One (1) member nominated by the Arkansas Health Care Association to represent nursing homes and appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(ii) One (1) member nominated by the Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(iii) One (1) member nominated by the Arkansas Residential Assisted Living Association, Inc. and appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(iv) One (1) member nominated by the Arkansas Residential Assisted Living Association, Inc. and appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(v) One (1) member nominated by the HomeCare Association of Arkansas and appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(B)
(i) As used in subdivision (b)(2)(A) of this section, “long-term care services and supports” does not include services provided in intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities or services provided by an entity licensed or certified by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services of the Department of Human Services.
(ii) For purposes of reviewing a draft rule related to services provided in intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities and services provided by an entity licensed or certified by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, § 20-77-2205(b)(2) applies.
(3) A medical director of a commercially owned insurance company participating with the Division of Medical Services in the Arkansas Healthcare Payment Improvement Initiative who is not appointed under subdivision (b)(1)(A)(iii) of this section may serve as an ex officio member of the committee but shall not vote.
(c) The committee may appoint subcommittees of the committee to study, research, and advise the committee.
(d) The Department of Human Services may provide offices and staff for the committee.
(e)
(1) The members of the committee shall serve two-year terms.
(2) At the first meeting of the committee, the length of the terms of the initial appointees shall be determined by lot.
(f) The members of the committee shall hold the first meeting in offices made available by the department within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the members of the committee.
(g) The committee annually shall select from its membership a chair and a vice chair.
(h)
(1) A majority of the membership of the committee constitutes a quorum.
(2) A majority vote of the members present is required for any action of the committee.
(i)
(1) A vacancy on the committee due to death, resignation, removal, or another cause shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.
(2) A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the vacated term.
(j) The members of the committee may be removed by the appointing official for cause.
(k) Members of the committee except those employed by the state may receive expense reimbursement and stipends under § 25-16-901 et seq.