1312                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 627

review and certify as to the reasonableness of the rates established
by these institutions. It will also be the Commission's responsibility
to keep itself informed as to whether the financial resources of each
institution are sufficient to meet its financial requirements and to
concern itself with solutions when resources are inadequate.

b. After July 1, 1974, an additional responsibility of this Com-
mission is to assure all purchasers of health care institutional serv-
ices that the total costs of the institution are reasonably related to
the total services offered by the institution; that the institution's
aggregate rates are set in reasonable relationship to the institution's
aggregate costs; and that rates are set equitably among all purchasers
of services without undue discrimination.

568-I.

The Governor of the State of Maryland shall create the Health
Services Cost Review Commission, an independent commission func-
tioning within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the
jurisdiction and powers of which shall extend to all hospitals, health
care and related institutions as defined in Section 556 of this Article,
whether they he operated as profit making or non-profit making in-
stitutions. THIS LAW SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IN-
CLUDE ANY HOSPITAL OR RELATED INSTITUTION OPER-
ATED, OR LISTED AND CERTIFIED, BY THE FIRST CHURCH
OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

568-J.

The Commission shall consist of seven (7) members, who shall be
appointed by the Governor. The appointees shall be persons who are
interested in problems of health care, of which four (4) shall be per-
sons who have no connection with the management or policy of any
hospitals or related institution. Of the initial appointees, two (2)
members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years; two (2)
members shall be appointed for an initial term of three (3) years;
two (2) members shall be appointed for an initial term of two (2)
years; and one (1) member shall be appointed for an initial term of
one (1) year. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for terms of four
(4) years each. No member shall be eligible for appointment to more
than two consecutive terms.

a.  The Governor shall annually select a Chairman who shall select
a Vice-Chairman. Meetings of the Commission shall be held as fre-
quently as its duties require. All meetings of the Commission except
executive sessions shall be open to the public. THE COMMISSION
SHALL HOLD NO LESS THAN SIX (6) MEETINGS PER YEAR.
The Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings and adopt rules
and regulations governing its meeting, minutes and transactions.

b.  Four (4) members constitute a quorum, but a vacancy of the
Commission does not impair its power to act. No action of the Com-
mission shall be effective unless at least four (4) of its members
concur therein.

c.  Members of the Commission shall receive compensation as may
be provided for in the budget, and they shall be reimbursed for all
necessary and proper expenses that are incurred in the performance
of their duties.