3820

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The costs of providing health care coverage to
State employees has been expensive; and

WHEREAS, The costs of providing this health care continue to
increase at an alarming rate; and

WHEREAS, Several states and counties, including Florida and
Mendocino County, California, have adopted health care insurance
programs which provide incentives to participants to be more
judicious in their use of health care services; and

WHEREAS, These programs are generally referred to as "stay
well" programs and attempt to improve participants' health
through education directed at creating healthier lifestyles, . as
well as through monetary incentives; and

WHEREAS, Several private corporations in Maryland, including
Quaker Oats Corporation and Group Administration Services,
successfully operate similar programs that provide financial
incentives to participants to reduce their utilization of health
care services; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of such programs include healthier
participants as well as monetary savings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to direct the Secretary of the Department
of Personnel and the Health Insurance Administrator of the
Department of Personnel to study the feasibility of implementing
a "stay well" program for State employees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor is further requested to direct
the Secretary of Personnel to report his findings to the General
Assembly at the earliest possible time prior to the 1985 Session
of the General Assembly of Maryland; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Policy Committee is requested
to direct the report of the Secretary of Personnel to the Budget
Committees for their review and analysis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Budget Committees of the General Assembly
study the feasibility of implementing a "stay well" program for
State employees and recommend appropriate action, including
pertinent legislation, for the Maryland General Assembly; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Honorable Harry Hughes, Governor of Maryland, the Honorable
Melvin A. Steinberg, President of the Senate of Maryland, the
Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin, Speaker of the House of Delegates,
Theodore E. Thornton, Sr., Secretary, Department of Personnel,
Office of the Secretary, Room 609, 301 West Preston Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21201, and George F. Schafer, Health
Insurance Administrator, Department of Personnel, Administrative
Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit, Room 601, 301 West
Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.