§ 63-1-560.1. Oklahoma Task Force to Eliminate Health Disparities.

A.  There is hereby created to continue until July 1, 2006, the Oklahoma Task Force to Eliminate Health Disparities.

B.  1.  The purpose of the Task Force shall be to assist the State Department of Health in accomplishing the following goals:

a.eliminating health and health access disparities in Oklahoma among multicultural, disadvantaged and regional populations, and

b.developing strategies in the elimination of health disparities among multicultural, disadvantaged and regional populations in the areas of cardiovascular disease, infant mortality, diabetes, cancer, adult and child immunizations, mental illness and substance abuse.

2.  The Task Force shall:

a.investigate and report on issues related to disparities in health and health access among multicultural, disadvantaged and regional populations.  Such issues may include the definition of health disparities, insurance, transportation, geographic isolation and rural area availability of health care providers, cultural competency of providers, severity of poverty among multicultural groups, education as it relates to health, and behaviors that lead to poor health status,

b.recommend short-term and long-term strategies to eliminate health and health access disparities among multicultural, disadvantaged and regional populations,

c.publish a report on the findings of the Task Force, and

d.advise the Department on the implementation of any targeted programs or funding authorized by the Legislature to address health and health access disparities.

3.  In performing the duties described in this subsection, the Task Force shall consult with the Department, the Office of Minority Health, the Community Development Service, and any other relevant division within or outside of the Department, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and other state and local government agencies.

C.  1.  The Task Force shall consist of fifteen (15) members to be appointed as follows:

a.The Governor shall appoint three members, one each representing faith-based communities, the business community and the labor community,

b.The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint three members, one each representing the Legislature, charitable or community organizations, and a racial or ethnic group affected by health disparities,

c.The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint three members, one each representing the Legislature, charitable or community organizations, and a racial or ethnic group affected by health disparities,

d.The State Commissioner of Health shall appoint three members, one each representing community-based health organizations, the government, and health care organizations, and

e.The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shall appoint, by July 1, 2004, three members with expertise in the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

2.  In making appointments, the appointing authorities shall give consideration to appointing individuals from both urban and rural geographic areas of the state.

D.  1.  The Governor shall designate two members of the Task Force to serve as chair and vice-chair.

2.  Members shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities.  Vacancies on the Task Force shall be filled not later than the ninetieth day after the date a position becomes vacant.  A majority of the members serving on the Task Force shall constitute a quorum.

3.  The Task Force shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chair.  The chair of the Task Force shall convene the first meeting of the Task Force not later than September 1, 2003.

4.  Members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed by their appointing authorities for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

5.  Staff support and facilities for the Task Force shall be provided by the State Department of Health.

E.  The Task Force shall annually submit a report on the progress of the State Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in achieving the goals outlined in this section.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 391, § 1.  Amended by Laws 2004, c. 192, § 1, emerg. eff. May 4, 2004.