Marvin Mandel, Governor                        1087

785.                                                                                   

The Commission shall:

(a)  set physical and medical standards for the operation of dialysis
and renal transplantation centers. When such centers meet the
standards, AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMPRE-
HENSIVE HEALTH PLANNING AGENCY OF MARYLAND,
they shall be certified by the State Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene. Patients treated at any uncertified center shall not be
eligible for State aid for their treatment.

(b)  set standards, reasonable in terms of the purpose of this sub-
title, for the acceptance of patients into the treatment phase of the
program. Patients so accepted will be certified as eligible for the
medical assistance of the State, provided, however, that nothing in
this subsection shall be construed to grant the Commission the power
to set standards which would prevent patients from receiving any
federal medical or financial aid.

(c)  institute and supervise education programs for the public and
for health providers with respect to chronic renal disease and the
prevention and treatment thereof. The Commission may utilize
existing programs and groups for this purpose, whether or not such
programs and groups are governmental.

(d)  annually evaluate the entire Kidney Disease Institute program.
An annual report of such evaluation shall be made to the Governor.

786.

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
shall designate such personnel as is necessary to carry out the provi-
sions of this subtitle. The Secretary shall be responsible for:

(1)  the operation of this Program within the standards set by the
Commission;

(2)  the disbursement and collection of funds as provided in this
subtitle;

(3)  keeping the Commission informed, through its executive
director, of the progress of the Program and of any need for changes
in rules and regulations. Only the Commission may make rules and
regulations.

787.

Any person who suffers from chronic renal disease and who resides
in the State at the time of his certification may be accepted into the
treatment phase of the program, provided that such person also meets
the standards set by the Commission under Section 785 (b) of this
subtitle.

788.

The State shall MAY pay the certified cost for all medical treat-
ment, for any cause whatsoever, of certified patients from the date
of certification, provided that the treatment be IS rendered in an
approved facility in the State of Maryland or in a dialysis or trans-
plantation center which is approved as such by a contiguous State