Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 81.djvu/907

 81 STAT. ]

873

PUBLIC LAW 90-248-JAN. 2, 1968

TRANSFER TO HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS ADVISORY COUNCIL NATIONAL MEDICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS; INCREASE

OF IN

C O U N C I L ' S MEMBERSHIP

SEC. 164. (a) Section 1867 of the Social Security Act is amended to read as follows:

79 Stat. 329. 42 USC 1395dd.

HEALTH I N S I ^ R A N C E BENEFITS ADVISORY COUNCIL

"SEC. 1867. (a) There is hereby created a Health Insurance Benefits Advisory Council which shall consist of 19 persons, not otherwise in the employ of the United States, appointed by the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service. The Secretary shall from time to time appoint one of the members to serve as Chairman, The members shall include persons who are outstanding in fields related to hospital, medical, and other health activities, persons who are representative of organizations and associations of professional personnel in the field of medicine, and at least one person who is representative of the general public. Each member shall hold office for a term of 4 years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. A member shall not be eligible to serve continuously for more than 2 terms. The Secretary may, at the request of the Advisory Council or otherwise, appoint such special advisory professional or technical committees as may be useful in carrying out this title. Members of the Advisory Council and members of any such advisory or technical committee, while attending meetings or conferences thereof or otherwise serving on business of the Advisory Council or of such committee, shall be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding $100 per day, including travel time, and while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons in the Government service employed intermittently. The Advisory Council shall meet as frequently as the Secretary deems necessary. Upon request of 5 or more members, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to call a meeting of the Advisory Council. "(b) I t shall be the function of the Advisory Council (1) to advise the Secretary on matters of general policy in the administration of this title and in the foririulation of regulations under this title, and (2) to study the utilization of hospital and other medical care and services for which payment may be made under this title with a view to recommending any changes which may seem desirable in the way in which such care and services are utilized or in the administration of the programs established by this title, or in the provisions of this title. The Advisory Council shall make an annual report to the Secretary on the performance of its functions, including any recommendations it may have with respect thereto, and such report shall be transmitted promptly by the Secretary to the Congress. "(c) The Advisory Council is authorized to engage such technical assistance as may be required to carry out its functions, and the Secretary shall, in addition, make available to the Advisory Council such secretarial, clerical, and other assistance and such pertinent data obtained and prepared by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Advisory Council may require to carry out its functions." (b) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not be construed as affecting the terms of office of the members of the Health Insurance

Membership.

80 Stat. 417. 5 USC 3301 et seq.

Term of office.

eompensation, travel expenses.

80 Stat. 499.

Duties.

Report to Congress.

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