Ch. 246

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(4)  "Physician assistant" means an individual to whom
duties are delegated by a licensed physician under the rules and
regulations of the State Board of Medical Examiners.

(5)  "Primary care" means family practice, general
internal medicine, and general pediatrics.

(6)   "ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION" MEANS AN INSTITUTION,
INCLUDING A LICENSED HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, ADULT DAY CARE
CENTER, PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY, HOME HEALTH AGENCY, OR OTHER
ORGANIZATION AUTHORIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND . MENTAL
HYGIENE.

(7)   "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" MEANS AN INSTITUTION OF
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION:

(I)  APPROVED TO OPERATE BY THE MARYLAND HIGHER
EDUCATION COMMISSION; AND

(II)  THAT AWARDS NURSING DEGREES OR DIPLOMAS.

(8)  "NURSING SHORTAGE AREA" MEANS A RECOGNIZED AREA
OF NURSING SERVICE OR SPECIALIZATION DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY
OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE TO BE AN AREA WHERE THERE EXISTS A
SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED NURSES IN ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.

(9)   "NURSING STUDENT" MEANS A STUDENT ENROLLED IN A
POSTSECONDARY NURSING EDUCATION DEGREE OR DIPLOMA PROGRAM AT AN
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.

[(b) The General Assembly finds that:

(1)  There are not enough primary care practitioners
in this State, particularly in the rural and inner city areas;

(2)  One way to alleviate this problem is to increase
the efficiency of providers by using physician assistants and
nurse practitioners;

(3)  Another way to alleviate this problem is by
increasing the supply of physician assistants and nurse
practitioners in this State as demonstrated by the successful
pilot training programs currently operating in this State where
the graduates are functioning effectively in the medical care
system in areas of need;

(4)  This State has recognized through the
establishment of the Maryland family practice residency programs
and legislation permitting physicians to delegate tasks to
physician assistants and nurse practitioners that it has an
important role in assuring that primary care resources are
available;

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