1020                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                       CH. 546

the consideration of any specific application for loan funds from the
State, the [Commission] Department, as in its discretion seems
advisable in the public interest, may require the applicant hospital
to modify or change its plan as a condition precedent to the approval
of the proposed loan by the ([Commission] Department. In perform-
ing this function, the [Commission] Department may call upon any
State official or agency for information that may be helpful, and it
may utilize the services of private agencies for additional research
analysis or information.

(c)   Final authority for the granting of any State loan funds to
any applicant hospital is vested in the Board of Public Works. If an
applicant, or any hospital, is rejected by the Board of Public Works,
neither the [Commission] Department nor the Board of Public
Works shall receive or consider another application for loan funds
from that hospital or applicant until after a period of six (6)
months from the time the prior application was disapproved.

(d)   In considering applications for loan funds and prior to mak-
ing recommendations upon any application for State funds under
this subheading, the [Commission] Department shall consider, ascer-
tain and determine that:

(1)   The applicant is, in fact, a voluntary nonprofit hospital cor-
poration, chartered as such in the State of Maryland.

(2)   The said applicant or hospital has sufficient financial integrity
and is in such financial condition that it can reasonably be expected
to meet its obligations to the State in the repayment of the principal
and interest on the said loan.

(3)   There exists in the community in which the hospital is
located an ability to support the hospital in the repayment of the
said loan.

(4)   There exists a need for the hospital facilities applied for in
relation to the availability and planned hospitals in the State and in
that particular area. [In this respect, the Commission shall require
in writing from the State Department of Health a statement of its
judgment with respect to the need. Said judgment, however, shall
not be binding upon the Commission but shall be considered in the
ultimate determination of need.]

(5)   That the said hospital or applicant cannot reasonably obtain
from other sources that portion of the cost of its proposed program
of construction, expansion, relocation, replacement or modernization
of its buildings, facilities and equipment which it seeks to finance
through the use of State funds at comparable rates and comparable
terms and conditions. In the application of this paragraph endow-
ment funds and other loan funds shall not be considered as other
sources for financial aid.

(6)   That the hospital can secure the paramedical assistance its
proposed program will require.

(7)   That the hospital's managerial, administrative and medical
staffs conform or will conform to acceptable standards of profes-
sional integrity and ability.

(8)   That hospital facilities obtained and constructed under the
provision of this subheading will meet State Department of Health