1236                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                      Ch. 296

(4) Within a reasonable time after the end of each

facility's fiscal year or more often as the Commission

determines, prepare from the information filed with the

Commission any summary, compilation, or other supplementary
report that will advance the purposes of this subtitle;

(5) Periodically participate in or do analyses and
studies that relate to:

(i) Health care costs;

(ii) The financial status of any facility; or

(iii) Any other appropriate matter; [and]

(6) On or before October 1 of each year, submit to
the Governor, to the Secretary, and, subject to § 2-1312 of the
State Government Article, to the General Assembly an annual
report on the operations and activities of the Commission during
the preceding fiscal year, including:

(i) A copy of each summary compilation, and
supplementary report required by this subtitle; and

(ii) Any other fact, suggestion, or policy
recommendation that the Commission considers necessary; AND

(7) ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO
ACT AS AN ADVOCACY UNIT OF GOVERNMENT TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC IN
ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING ALLEGED OVERCHARGES THAT A HOSPITAL MAKES
AGAINST ANY PATIENT.

SUBTITLE 4A. HEALTH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY UNIT

13-4A-01.

THERE IS A HEALTH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY UNIT IN THE
DIVISION.

13-4A-02.

(A) THE UNIT MAY IMPLEMENT AN EDUCATIONAL AND ADVOCACY
PROGRAM DESIGNED TO;

(1) ENABLE HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS TO MAKE MORE
INFORMED CHOICES IN THE HEALTH MARKETPLACE, AND TO BE ABLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS CONCERNING THEIR HEALTH CARE; AND

(2) OTHERWISE PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF HEALTH
CONSUMERS IN THE HEALTH MARKETPLACE.

(B) (1) THE UNIT MAY ASSIST HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS IN
UNDERSTANDING THEIR HEALTH CARE BILLS AND THIRD PARTY COVERAGE,
IN IDENTIFYING IMPROPER BILLING OR COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS, AND
IN REPORTING ANY BILLING OR COVERAGE PROBLEMS TO APPROPRIATE