A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to Create a joint Commission to study establishing a formal plan for transitioning from the current system of delivering health care to a system that covers all North Carolinians, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE.
Whereas, nations that assure health care for all spend significantly less per capita and as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product on health care than the U.S.; and
Whereas, in many of these nations a basic health care plan for all residents effectively coexists with supplemental private sector plans; and
Whereas, these same nations have health care systems that achieve better health care outcomes than those achieved in the U.S.; and
Whereas, the health care outcomes in North Carolina are considered at or below average when compared to other states in the nation; and
Whereas, investing in a health care model that covers all North Carolinians and includes early intervention and personal responsibility will reduce State health expenditures while improving health care outcomes and will make North Carolina's business climate more appealing while making North Carolina businesses more competitive in the global market; and
Whereas, our current system leads hospitals to spend millions of dollars on emergency department improvements that lead to higher hospital admissions while proven, more cost-effective, early intervention models struggle for funding; and
Whereas, the large and growing numbers of the uninsured are left out of the medical expense bargaining process; and
Whereas, our current health care system requires the uninsured to pay at higher rates than the insured; and
Whereas, North Carolinians overwhelmingly believe the General Assembly should assure all North Carolinians have access to health care; and
Whereas, we have a unique opportunity where creating a just health care system will provide significant economic advantages to the State, its residents, and to North Carolina businesses; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Commission Established. – There is established in the General Assembly a Joint Legislative Commission on Transitioning to a Health Care System that Covers All North Carolinians.
SECTION 1.(b)  Membership. – The Commission shall consist of eight members as follows:
(1)	Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 1.(c)  Duties of the Commission. – The Commission shall study the need for a health care system that covers all North Carolinians.  The Commission shall establish a formal plan for transitioning from the current fragmented system of delivering health care to a system that covers all North Carolinians and may propose legislation, including constitutional amendments if necessary, to implement the plan. 
SECTION 1.(d)  Vacancies. – A vacancy shall be filled by the officer who made the original appointment.
SECTION 1.(e)  Cochairs. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate cochairs of the Commission from among their respective appointees. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. A quorum of the Commission shall be four members.
SECTION 1.(f)  Expenses of Members. – Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 1.(g)  Staff. – The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, and the expenses related to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission.
SECTION 1.(h)  Consultants. – The Commission may employ consultants to assist with the study as provided in G.S. 120‑32.02. Before expending any funds for a consultant, the Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the consultant selected, the work products to be provided by the consultant, and the cost of the contract, including an itemization of the cost components.
SECTION 1.(i)  Meeting Location. – Subject to the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission may meet in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(j)  Report. – The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2006. Upon the filing of its final report, the Commission shall terminate.
SECTION 1.(k)  Funds. – Of the funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds to implement the provisions of this section.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.