WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 614

SERVICES FOR PROGRAM RECIPIENTS, WITHIN AVAILABLE RESOURCES
THROUGH COOPERATIVE INTERAGENCY EFFORTS;

(14) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
SHALL WORK IN CONJUNCTION (15) DEVELOP JOINT LEGISLATIVE AND
EXECUTIVE BRANCH STRATEGIES TO PERSUADE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
RECONSIDER THOSE POLICIES THAT DISCOURAGE THE DELIVERY OF COST
EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE TO PROGRAM RECIPIENTS;

(15) IF FUNDS BECOME AVAILABLE, EITHER THROUGH

ADDITIONAL REVENUES OR THROUGH PROGRAM SAVINGS, THE PROGRAM SHALL

MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAM EXPANSION TO SERVE

(16) EVALUATE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO THOSE PERSONS
IN GREATEST WHOSE FINANCIAL NEED AND WHOSE OR HEALTH CARE NEEDS
THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES AS MOST CRITICAL ARE MOST ACUTE;

(16) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION; AND

(17) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT ONGOING EVALUATIONS
OF THE PROGRAM TO ASSESS THE PROGRAM'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS
IMPROVING MARYLAND'S HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND HEALTH
STATUS OF THE INDIGENT POPULATION. AND

(17) ESTABLISH MECHANISMS FOR AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING
RECOVERIES AGAINST THIRD PARTIES PERMITTED UNDER CURRENT LAW AND
EXPLORING ADDITIONAL METHODS FOR SEEKING TO RECOVER OTHER MONEYS
EXPENDED BY THE PROGRAM.

15-102.2.

THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EVALUATE AND REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 OF EACH YEAR ON THE

IMPACT OF CHANGES IN TERMS OF QUALITY, ACCESS, AND

COST EFFECTIVENESS MADE TO THE PROGRAM.

15-103.

(a) (1) The Secretary shall administer the Maryland Medical
Assistance Program.

(2) The Program:

(i) Shall provide comprehensive medical and
other health care for indigent individuals or medically indigent
individuals or both;

(ii) Shall provide, subject to the limitations
of the State budget and the availability of federal funds,
comprehensive medical and other health care for all pregnant
women and, at a minimum, all children currently under the age of
1 [and each succeeding year increasing to the age of 3] who fall
WHOSE FAMILY INCOME FALLS below 185 PERCENT OF THE poverty level,

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