Section 22-21-416 Hospital Discharge Data Advisory Council.

(a) The Hospital Discharge Data Advisory Council is established to assist in developing rules and standards necessary to implement this article, to review and serve as consultants to the department on matters related to any reports, studies, or publications authorized under this article, and to serve as consultants to the department on matters relating to the protection, collection, and dissemination of discharge data. (b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) Seven hospital representatives appointed by the Alabama Hospital Association, including at least one representative of each of the following: A rural hospital, an urban hospital, a governmental hospital, a not-for-profit hospital, a pediatric hospital, and a for-profit hospital. (2) Two physicians appointed by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. (3) One member appointed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. (4) One consumer appointed by the Governor. (5) The Commissioner of the Alabama Medicaid Agency, or his or her designee. (6) The Executive Director of the State Health Planning and Development Agency, or his or her designee. (c) The council members shall be appointed by May 30, 2021, and shall meet within 30 days after the appointment of the council membership in order to establish procedures and other policies necessary to carry on the business of the council. A quorum for purposes of conducting council business shall be seven of the appointed members of the council. All meetings of the council shall be announced in advance and conducted pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 25A of Title 36. All meetings shall require personal attendance of the members of the council for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present and conducting business. (d) All appointing authorities shall coordinate their appointments so that diversity of gender, race, and geographical areas is reflective of the makeup of the state. (e) The terms of the appointed members of the council shall be staggered as follows: The State Health Officer shall divide the members into two equal groups. The members of the first group shall be appointed for an initial term of two years. The members of the second group shall be appointed for an initial term of four years. Thereafter, the term of office of each member shall be for four years. A member may serve two consecutive terms. A member shall serve until a successor is appointed. If a vacancy occurs, the original appointing authority shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. (f) Members shall not receive a salary or per diem allowance for serving as members of the council. (g) The council may appoint a technical advisory committee if desired. The technical advisory committee members may or may not be members of the council. (h) The State Health Officer, or his or her designee, shall serve as chair of the council and as an ex officio member, without vote, except if there is a tie vote of the voting members of the council.