SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section(s) 19-1601 through 19-1606 and the subtitle "Subtitle 16.
Advisory Committee on Practice Parameters" of Article - Health - General of the
Annotated Code of Maryland be repealed.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland
read as follows:

Article - Health - General

19-1502.

(a) There is a Maryland Health Care Access and Cost Commission.

(b) The Commission is an independent commission that functions in the
Department.

(c) The purpose of the Commission is to:

(1) Develop health care cost containment strategies to help provide
access to appropriate quality health care services for all Marylanders, after
consulting with the Health Resources Planning Commission and the Health Services
Cost Review Commission;

(2) Facilitate the public disclosure of medical claims data for the
development of public policy;

(3) Establish and develop a medical care data base on health care
services rendered by health care practitioners;

(4) Encourage the development of clinical resource management systems
to permit the comparison of costs between various treatment settings and the
availability of information to consumers, providers, and purchasers of health care
services;

(5) In accordance with Title 15, Subtitle 12 of the Insurance Article,

develop:

(i) A uniform set of effective benefits to be included in the
Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan; and

(ii) A modified health benefit plan for medical savings accounts;

(6) Analyze the medical care data base and provide, in aggregate form,
an annual report on the variations in costs associated with health care practitioners;

(7) Ensure utilization of the medical care data base as a primary means
to compile data and information and annually report on trends and variances
regarding fees for service, cost of care, regional and national comparisons, and
indications of malpractice situations;

(8) Develop a payment system for health care services;