VETOES

Subsection (c), which was intended to prohibit a company already
offering coverage for TMJ from terminating that coverage, is
worded in such a way as to provide two valid interpretations.
Under one interpretation, if the company has one policy which
provides some type of treatment for TMJ prior to April 1, 1988,
then that policy cannot be changed. Under the other
interpretation, if a company has one policy which provides some
type of treatment for TMJ prior to April 1, 1988, then all of
that company's policies must have that coverage.

For these reasons, it would not be responsible to sign a bill
that includes these serious interpretative problems, especially
if litigation is likely. Consequently, I have today vetoed House
Bill 1278.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

House Bill No. 1278

AN ACT concerning

Health Insurance - Reimbursement for Health Services

FOR the purpose of requiring any group or individual health
insurance contract or policy issued by an insurer or a
nonprofit health service plan that provides coverage for any
treatment, diagnostic, diagnostic or surgical procedure
involving any bone or joint of the skeletal structure to
provide the same coverage for the same treatment,
diagnostic, diagnostic or surgical procedure involving any
bone or joint of the face, neck, or head under certain
circumstances; providing for an exception; providing for a
certain coverage under certain policies; and generally
relating to health insurance coverage for procedures
involving the bones of the face, neck, or head.

BY adding to

Article 48A - Insurance Code

Section 490J

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1986 Replacement Volume and 1987 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 48A - Insurance Code

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