An advisory council to HEW whose primary role, pursuant to section 1867 of the Social Security Act and as detailed in its charter, is to provide advice and recommendations on matters of general policy in the administration of Medicare and Medicaid. This role was reaffirmed after Departmental review, and the Council was re-chartered on December 13, 1974, to continue the provision of such advice to the Secretary for two additional years. The Council consists of nineteen non-governmental experts in health related fields who are selected by the Secretary and hold office for terms of four years. In recognition of the broad impact of Medicare and Medicaid on health care delivery throughout the country, the management and staff support for the Council has been transferred to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Organizationally, this is said to enable information on policy issues to be more directly channeled to the Council and provides the Assistant Secretary for Health ready access to, and analysis of, HIBAC issues.