3544

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, Health care in Maryland is evolving in response to
rising health care costs, changes in methods of health care
provision, and initiatives toward health care cost containment;
and

WHEREAS, It is unclear that the Health Resources Planning
Commission and the Health Services Cost Review Commission are
responding effectively to the changing needs of the State's
health care system; and

WHEREAS, The hearing process for health care rate setting
and for certificate of need applications, conducted by unpaid
appointees to the Commissions, are too lengthy, involving
unnecessary delays; and

WHEREAS, The certificate of need process may lack efficiency
and effectiveness resulting in unnecessary costs and delays; and

WHEREAS, The public's interests are not well represented on
the Commissions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to establish a Task Force on Health Care
Regulation Joint Committee on Health Care Cost Containment is
requested to study the restructuring of the Health Resources
Planning Commission and the Health Services Cost Review
Commission with emphasis on the feasibility of full-time hearing
officers, the proper role of the Health Resources Planning
Commission in the new health care environment, and the use of a
People's Counsel for both Commissions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Health Care Regulation be
composed of:

(1) 3 members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the
Speaker of the House, and 3 members of the Senate of Maryland,
appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(2) A representative of each of the following, appointed by
the Governor:

(a) The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;

(b) The Health Resources Planning Commission; and

(c) The Health Services Cost Review Commission; and

(3) 3 representatives from the health care industry,

appointed by the Governor, including a representative from the
Maryland Hospital Association and, a representative from the
Health Facilities Association of Maryland and 1 representative
from the Maryland Association for Homecare; and

(4) 2 representatives from labor and business; and