Ch. 688                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND

2.  Within 45 days of receiving notice,
the Commission in its sole discretion finds that the proposed
consolidation, merger, or conversion:

A.  Is not inconsistent with the State
health plan or the institution-specific plan developed by the
Commission as appropriate;

B.  Will result in the delivery of more
efficient and effective health care services; and

C.  Is in the public interest; and

3.  Within 45 days of receiving notice,
the Commission shall notify the health care facility of its
finding;

(vi) A capital expenditure by a nursing home
for equipment, construction, or renovation that:

1.  Is not directly related to patient
care; and

2.  Is not directly related to any change
in patient charges or other rates; [or]

(vii) A capital expenditure by a hospital, as
defined in § 19-301 of this title, for equipment, construction,
or renovation that:

1.  Is not directly related to patient
care; and

2.  Does not increase patient charges or
hospital rates[.]; OR

(VIII) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF
THIS SUBSECTION, A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY A HOSPITAL AS DEFINED
IN § 19-301 OF THIS TITLE, FOR A PROJECT IN EXCESS OF $1,250,000
FOR EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION THAT:

1.  MAY BE RELATED TO PATIENT CARE; AND

2.  DOES NOT REQUIRE, OVER THE ENTIRE
PERIOD OR SCHEDULE OF DEBT SERVICE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT, A
TOTAL CUMULATIVE INCREASE IN PATIENT CHARGES OR HOSPITAL RATES OF
MORE THAN $1,500,000 TO FINANCE OR AMORTIZE THE EXPENDITURE FOR
THE CAPITAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT AS DETERMINED BY
THE COMMISSION, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE HEALTH SERVICES COST
REVIEW COMMISSION.

3. AT LEAST 45 DAYS BEFORE THE PROPOSED
EXPENDITURE IS MADE, THE HOSPITAL SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSION AND

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