Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2463

 117 STAT. 2444

PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003 (vii) information on health care needs that need to be addressed; (B) examples of community strategies to provide health care coverage or access; (C) information on geographic-specific issues relating to health care; (D) information concerning the cost of care in different settings, including institutional-based care and home and community-based care; (E) a summary of ways to finance health care coverage; and (F) the role of technology in providing future health care including ways to support the information needs of patients and providers. (4) COMMUNITY MEETINGS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which all the members of the Working Group have been appointed under subsection (d)(1) and appropriations are first made available to carry out this section, the Working Group shall initiate health care community meetings throughout the United States (in this paragraph referred to as ‘‘community meetings’’). Such community meetings may be geographically or regionally based and shall be completed within 180 days after the initiation of the first meeting. (B) NUMBER OF MEETINGS.—The Working Group shall hold a sufficient number of community meetings in order to receive information that reflects— (i) the geographic differences throughout the United States; (ii) diverse populations; and (iii) a balance among urban and rural populations. (C) MEETING REQUIREMENTS.— (i) FACILITATOR.—A State health officer may be the facilitator at the community meetings. (ii) ATTENDANCE.—At least 1 member of the Working Group shall attend and serve as chair of each community meeting. Other members may participate through interactive technology. (iii) TOPICS.—The community meetings shall, at a minimum, address the following questions: (I) What health care benefits and services should be provided? (II) How does the American public want health care delivered? (III) How should health care coverage be financed? (IV) What trade-offs are the American public willing to make in either benefits or financing to ensure access to affordable, high quality health care coverage and services? (iv) INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY.—The Working Group may encourage public participation in community meetings through interactive technology and other means as determined appropriate by the Working Group.

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