Pamela Brewington, 1987; Philip L. Jones, 1987;
F. Perry Smith, Jr, 1987.

Ex officio: Deborah Lewis-Idema, designee of the
Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Robert W. Higgins, Executive Director
Edward A. Pigo, Deputy Director

201 West Preston St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-2430

In 1982 the State Health Resources Planning
Commission was established to promote the devel-
opment of a health care system that provides
access to quality health care at a reasonable cost
for all citizens (Chapter 108, Acts of 1982). The
Commission plans the development of quality
health services within each health service area to
meet current and future health care needs; identi-
fies the resources essential to meet defined needs;
promotes through plans and policies appropriate
use of those resources; and advocates policies and
systems for efficient access to services, including
acute, long-term, mental health, primary care, and
community alternatives. The Commission coordi-
nates its work with the State Health Services Cost
Review Commission, and provides for assessment
of the impact of plans and projects on total health
care costs to Maryland and to its citizens. Among
major Commission programs are preparation of
the State Health Plan and conducting the Certifi-
cate of Need program to assure that facilities meet
standards of public need before building or con-
structing new services.

The Commission consists of the Secretary of
Health and Mental Hygiene or his designee, and
thirteen members appointed to four-year terms by
the Governor. Five members represent local health
planning agencies, six represent health care provid-
ers, and two represent the general public. The
Executive Director is appointed by the Governor
with the advice of the Secretary.

The law creating the Commission also estab-
lished local health planning agencies to serve
gubernatorially designated health service areas.
These agencies are required to assure broad citizen
representation on their boards and in their activi-
ties, to develop local health plans, to provide input
into the development of statewide criteria and
standards for Certificate of Need and health plan-
ning, and to provide input into evidentiary hear-
ings on the evaluation of Certificate of Need
applications. There are at present five such agen-
cies. They are: 1) Health Systems Agency of
Western Maryland, serving Garrett, Allegany,
Washington, and Frederick counties; 2) Montgom-

Health and Mental Hygiene/223

ery County Health Systems Agency; 3) Southern
Maryland Health Systems Agency, serving Prince
George's, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's
counties; 4) Central Maryland Health Systems
Agency, serving Baltimore City and Anne Arun-
del, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard
counties; and 5) Health Planning Council of the
Eastern Shore, serving Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's,
Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somer-
set, and Worcester counties (Code Health-General
Article, secs. 19-103 through 19-122).

OFFICE OF REGULATORY SERVICES

Joseph R. Noll, Sr., Director

201 W. Preston St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-6197

The Office of Regulatory Services licenses, certi-
fies, or accredits health facilities and community
health programs. It examines and licenses health
professionals and assures equal access to health
care services. It also registers establishments au-
thorized to manufacture, dispense, or administer
controlled dangerous substances.

As advocate for the developmentally disabled,
the Office furnishes administrative support and
guidance to the Developmental Disabilities Coun-
cil.

DIVISION OF LICENSING AND
CERTIFICATION

Henry E. Schwartz, Chief

201 W. Preston St
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-2517

The Licensing and Certification Division licenses
all hospitals and health-related institutions in
Maryland. The Division is also responsible for
certification recommendations for all facilities par-
ticipating in the Medicaid and Medicare Programs.
It inspects facilities and provides consultation and
education for all health facility staffs. The Division
initiates administrative action against those facili-
ties not in compliance with State rules and regula-
tions.

EQUAL ACCESS COMPLIANCE OFFICE

Leonard H. Yorke, Director

201 W. Preston St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-2725

As part of the regulatory services function, this
Office exercises Department-wide responsibilities
to ensure that no client of any federally assisted