FIRST REGULAR SESSION
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES PORTWOOD (Sponsor) AND DENISON (Co-sponsor).
Read 1st time January 13, 2005 and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 192, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the Missouri senior advocacy and efficiency commission.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 192, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 192.375, to read as follows:
192.375. 1. There is hereby established within the department of health and senior services the "Missouri Senior Advocacy and Efficiency Commission". The commission shall consist of the following seventeen members, or their designees, who are residents of this state:
(1) The director of the department of health and senior services;
(2) The president of the Missouri state medical association;
(3) The president of the Missouri nurses' association;
(4) The president of the Missouri state chiropractors association;
(5) The president pro tempore of the Missouri senate;
(6) The speaker of the Missouri house of representatives;
(7) A pharmacist licensed in the state of Missouri, appointed by the Missouri board of pharmacy;
(8) A representative of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(9) Two members of the Missouri silver-haired legislature, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(10) Two members of the American Association of Retired People, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(11) Two representatives from the assisted living community, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;
(12) Two members of the Missouri senior Rx commission; and
(13) The lieutenant governor, who shall serve as chair of the commission.
Members of the commission shall be appointed by October 1, 2005. Of the ten members first appointed to the commission under subdivisions (7) to (12) of this subsection, the members appointed under subdivisions (7), (9), and (11) of this subsection shall serve a term of two years, and the members appointed under subdivisions (8), (10), and (12) of this subsection shall serve a term of two years. Thereafter, members appointed to the commission under subdivisions (7) to (12) of this subsection shall serve two-year terms. Members shall continue to serve until their successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
2. Service on the commission shall be voluntary, with reasonable reimbursement for expenses actually incurred in the performance of the member's official duties for members who are not employees of the state of Missouri.
3. The department of health and senior services shall provide administrative support and staff as is necessary for the effective operation of the commission.
4. Meetings shall be held at least every ninety days or at the call of the commission chair.
5. The senior advocacy and efficiency commission shall:
(1) Hold public hearings in accordance with chapter 536, RSMo, to gather information from the general public on issues pertaining to the quality and efficiency of all senior services offered by the state of Missouri;
(2) Analyze state statutes and administrative rules regarding services offered by the state of Missouri for senior citizens and designate which programs provide effective and efficient support to seniors and the programs that lack quality;
(3) Establish a mechanism to utilize the staff of the member's of the Missouri general assembly to assist seniors, including but not limited to assisting seniors in applying for any and all prescription drug assistance offered under the federal Medicare Prescription Drug Modernization Act of 2003;
(4) Serve as a resource for any pharmaceutical benefits available either through the state of Missouri or the federal government;
(5) Develop a plan that delays the need for the provisions of long-term care outside the residence of senior citizens and allows seniors to remain at home for as long as possible;
(6) Maintain a web site with detailed information regarding all programs and services offered by the state of Missouri which are available to seniors;
(7) Maintain a toll-free senior advocacy support telephone number which directs seniors to all services offered by the state of Missouri which are available to seniors;
(8) Submit an annual report on the activities of the commission to the director of the department of health and senior services, the members of the Missouri general assembly, and the governor by February 1, 2007, and every February first thereafter. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Efficiencies that can be realized by consolidation of senior services offered by Missouri;
(b) Effectiveness of all senior services offered by the state of Missouri;
(c) Information regarding the impact and effectiveness of prior recommendations, if any, that have been implemented; and
(d) Measurable data to identify the cost effectiveness of the programs evaluated.
6. The department of health and senior services may accept on behalf of the commission any federal moneys, gifts, and donations from individuals, private organizations, and foundations, and any other moneys which may become available.
7. For purposes of this section, any gifts or donations from individuals, private organizations, or foundations shall be considered one hundred percent deductible for purposes of Missouri income tax liability.