HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1541

(I) A CORRESPONDING OUTPATIENT SERVICE WHICH THAT IS
FURNISHED TO THE INSURED IN LIEU OF THE INPATIENT SERVICE BY
REASON OF THE DENIAL RESULTING FROM A UTILIZATION REVIEW PROGRAM
OF A REQUEST BY THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN FOR AN INPATIENT
ADMISSION.; AND

(II) AN OBJECTIVE SECOND OPINION GIVEN THE INSURED
WHEN REQUIRED BY A UTILIZATION REVIEW PROGRAM UNDER SECTION
19-319 OF THE HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Secretary of
the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall report to the
General Assembly on or before July 1, 1986, concerning the
success of the utilization review system established under this
Act.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Secretary of
Health and Mental Hygiene shall report to the General Assembly by
October 1, 1986, and each year thereafter until 1989, on the
effectiveness of utilization review programs, including the
readmission rates and standards provided each year.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the President of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates shall
appoint 5 Senators and 5 Delegates, respectively, to serve as the
Joint Committee on Health Care Cost Containment. The Joint
Committee shall be staffed by the Department of Legislative
Reference and the Department of Fiscal Services. The Joint
Committee, along with the AELR Committee, shall review, prior to
publication in the Maryland Register, any regulations relating to
minimum standards for hospital patient utilization review
programs proposed pursuant to this Act and any regulations
relating to hospital closures, mergers, and consolidations

proposed pursuant to Chapter (HB 1551/SB 655) of the Laws of

1985. The Joint Committee established by this Section may also
consider and review any issues relating to the Health Resources
Planning Commission, the Health Services Cost Review Commission,
the certificate of need process, the State Health Plan,
institution specific studies, and any other issues relating to

health care cost containment raised or addressed in Chapter ___

(HB 1068/SB 494), Chapter (HB 1069/SB 492), Chapter (HB

1072/SB 493), Chapter (HB 1073/SB 495), and Chapter (HB

1551/SB 655) of the Laws of 1985. This section shall terminate
and be of no effect on June 1, 1990.

SECTION 2 3 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect June 1, 1985.