# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 15. Assistance Programs

### Subtitle 1. Medical and Pharmacy Assistance Programs

#### Section 15-103.2

(a) In this section, "Committee" means the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee.

(b) The Department shall establish the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee.

(c)

  (1) The Committee shall be composed of not more than 25 members.

  (2) The majority of the members of the Committee shall be enrollees or enrollee advocates.

  (3) At least five members of the Committee shall be enrollees representative of the entire Medicaid population.

  (4) The Committee members shall include:

    (i) At least five current or former enrollees or the parents or guardians of current or former enrollees;

    (ii) Providers who are familiar with the medical needs of low-income population groups, including board-certified physicians;

    (iii) Hospital representatives;

    (iv) At least five but not more than 10 advocates for the Medicaid population, including representatives of special needs populations, such as:

      (1) Children with special needs;

      (2) Individuals with physical disabilities;

      (3) Individuals with developmental disabilities;

      (4) Individuals with mental illness;

      (5) Individuals with brain injuries;

      (6) Medicaid and Medicare dual eligibles;

      (7) Individuals who are homeless or have experienced homelessness;

      (8) Individuals enrolled in home- and community-based services waivers;

      (9) Elderly individuals;

      (10) Low-income individuals and individuals receiving benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program; and

      (11) Individuals receiving substance use treatment services;

    (v) Two members of the Senate Finance Committee, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

    (vi) Three members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House.

  (5) A designee of each of the following shall serve as an ex officio member of the Committee:

    (i) The Secretary of Human Services;

    (ii) The Executive Director of the Maryland Health Care Commission; and

    (iii) The Maryland Association of County Health Officers.

  (6) The Secretary shall appoint nonvoting members from managed care organizations who may participate in Committee meetings, unless the Committee meets in closed session as provided in Sec. 3-305 of the General Provisions Article.

  (7)

    (i) Except as specified in paragraphs (4)(v) and (vi) and (5) of this subsection, the members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary and serve for a 4-year term.

    (ii) In making appointments to the Committee, the Secretary shall provide for continuity and rotation.

    (iii) In appointing consumer members to the Committee, the Secretary shall seek recommendations from:

      (1) The State Protection and Advocacy System Organization;

      (2) The Statewide Independent Living Council;

      (3) The Developmental Disabilities Council;

      (4) The Department of Disabilities;

      (5) The Department of Aging;

      (6) Consumer advocacy organizations; and

      (7) The public.

(d)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a member of the Committee:

    (i) May not receive compensation; but

    (ii) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

  (2) A member of the Committee who is an enrollee is entitled to reimbursement for:

    (i) Expenses for personal and dependent care incurred during the meeting and during travel time to and from the meeting;

    (ii) Expenses for cognitive supports related to the meeting; and

    (iii) Appropriate transportation to and from the meeting.

  (3) On request, the Department shall provide for a dedicated Department staff person:

    (i) To review meeting materials with enrollee members in advance of a meeting by telephone or in person; and

    (ii) To provide referrals to advocacy organizations.

(e)

  (1) The Secretary shall appoint the chair of the Committee.

  (2) The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.

  (3) The Committee shall determine the times and places of its meetings.

  (4)

    (i) The chair of the Committee and the staff for the Committee shall provide the agenda, minutes, and any written materials to be presented or discussed at a meeting to the members of the Committee at least 5 days before the meeting.

    (ii) The agenda, minutes, and written materials shall be provided to members of the Committee in a manner and format that reasonably accommodates the specific needs of the member.

(f) In addition to any duties imposed by federal law and regulation, the Committee shall:

  (1) Advise the Secretary on the implementation, operation, and evaluation of managed care programs under this section;

  (2) Review and make recommendations on the regulations developed to implement managed care programs under Sec. 15-103.1 of this subtitle;

  (3) Review and make recommendations on the standards used in contracts between the Department and managed care organizations;

  (4) Review and make recommendations on the Department's oversight of quality assurance standards;

  (5) Review data collected by the Department from managed care organizations participating in the Program and data collected by the Maryland Health Care Commission;

  (6) Promote the dissemination of managed care organization performance information, including loss ratios, to enrollees in a manner that facilitates quality comparisons and uses layman's language;

  (7) Assist the Department in evaluating the enrollment process; and

  (8) Review reports of the ombudsmen.

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Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)