Ch. 605                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1)     Whether there is an underserved population of medically indigent individuals
who are categorically eligible for Medical Assistance benefits, including:

(i) The geographical area of the underserved population;

(ii) The reasons why the population is underserved; and

(iii) The type and number of health care practitioners needed to meet the
needs of the underserved population; and

(2)     The number of health care practitioners who currently voluntarily agree to
participate in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, including:

(i) The tvpe and geographic area of the participating health care
practitioners; and

(ii) An evaluation of what incentives are needed, if any, to encourage
increased voluntary participation in the shortage areas;

(c)     The study shall also include an evaluation, if needed, of the possible
positive and negative impact on the State if all health care practitioners are required to
participate in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program as a condition of licensure or
certification; and

(d)     On or before December 15, 1995, the Secretary of Health and Mental
Hygiene shall submit a report of the findings of the study and any recommendations to the
Senate Finance Committee and the House Economic Matters Committee.

SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:

(a) The Governor's Task Force on Community Health Networks shall study the
impact, growth, and formation of health care delivery networks, including information on:

(1)     the The impact of health care networks on the delivery of health care
services in the State;

(2)     the The availability and affordability of health care services to Maryland
residents through these integrated health care delivery systems;

(3)     the The appropriate level of State regulation of health care delivery
networks;

(4)     the The accountability of health care delivery networks to the
communities in which they are located;

(5)     the The necessary capitalization and surplus requirements to ensure the
financial solvency of these health care delivery systems;

(6)     the The standards necessary to ensure that health care delivery
networks:                                                                    

(i) enroll Enroll individuals who are broadly representative of the
various age, social, and income groups within its regional service area; and

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