Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 81.djvu/937

 81

STAT.]

PUBLIC LAW 90-248-JAN. 2, 1968

903

ADVISORY C O U N C I L O N MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SEC. 226. Title X IX of the Social Securitj Act is amended by H l'^^ 34^3. adding at the end thereof the following new section: 1396 d. ^ a ADVISORY C O U N C I L ON MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

"SEC. 1906. For the purpose of advising the Secretary on matters of general policy in the administration of this title (including the relationship of this title and title X VIII) and making recommendations 1395^"^^ ^''^^' for improvements in such administration, there is hereby created a Medical Assistance Advisory Council which shall consist of twenty-one ersons, not otherwise in the employ of the United States, appointed y the Secretary without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service. The Tx^ic^soret Secretary shall from time to time appoint one of the members to serve seq. as Chairman, The members shall include representatives of State and Membership. local agencies and nongovernmental organizations and groups concerned with health, and of consumers of health services, and a majority of the membership of the Advisory Council shall consist of representatives of consumers of health services. Each member shall ^ ^ ^ °^ officehold office for a term of four 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, and except that the terms of office of the members first taking office shall expire, as designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment, five at the end of the first year, five at the end of the second year, five at the end of the third year, and six at the end of the fourth year after the date of appointment. A member shall not be eligible to serve continuously for more than two terms. The Secretary may, at the request of the 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 ^^^^°^i'^^^^l^°^' 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 80 Stat. 499. in the Government service employed intermittently. The Advisory Council shall meet as frequently as the Secretary deems necessary. Upon request of five or more members, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to call a meeting of the Advisory Council."

E

FREE CHOICE BY INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SEC. 227. (a) Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act is amended— (1) by striking out "and'' at the end of paragraph (21); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (22) and inserting in lieu thereof "; and "; and (3) by adding after paragraph (22) the following new para"(23) provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance (including drugs) may obtain such assistance from any institution, agency, community pharmacy, or person, qualified to perform the service or services required (including an organization

42 USC 1396a.

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