PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 593

(B) THE POWER OF THE SECRETARY TO TRANSFER BY RULE, REGULATION,
OR WRITTEN DIRECTIVE ANY STAFF, FUNCTION, OR FUNDS OF UNITS IN THE
DEPARTMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY STAFF, FUNCTION, OR FUNDS OF THE
COMMISSION.

13-809.

ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 1996 1997, AND EACH JULY 1 OF EACH YEAR
THEREAFTER, THE COMMISSION SHALL ISSUE A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE
SECRETARY, AND, SUBJECT TO § 2-1312 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT:

(1)     DESCRIBES ITS FINDINGS REGARDING:

(I)      THE ADEQUACY OF REIMBURSEMENT RATES CURRENTLY
PAID TO PROVIDERS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NEEDS OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS,
SERVICE QUALITY, REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS, STAFF TURNOVER, STAFF
QUALIFICATIONS, AND OTHER FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE ABILITY OF PROVIDERS
TO DELIVER EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICES ON A SOLVENT BASIS;

(II)     THE COMPARABILITY OF DIRECT CARE AND MANAGERIAL
STAFF SALARIES AND WAGES, INCLUDING FRINGE BENEFITS, IN PROVIDER
ORGANIZATIONS RELATIVE TO SIMILAR POSITIONS IN STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AND IN SIMILAR HUMAN SERVICE FIELDS;

(III) THE EXTENT AND AMOUNT OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE
DELIVERED BY PROVIDERS AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ADEQUACY OF
REIMBURSEMENT RATES; AND

(IV) THE ADEQUACY, EFFICIENCY, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE
METHODS OF PAYMENTS TO PROVIDERS, INCLUDING THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE
STRUCTURES EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE MENTAL HYGIENE ADMINISTRATION;

(2)     BASED ON ITS FINDINGS, RECOMMENDS ANY CHANGES IN
REIMBURSEMENT RATES IN ORDER TO ENABLE PROVIDERS TO DELIVER ON A
SOLVENT BASIS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICES THAT ARE IN THE PUBLIC
INTEREST;

(3)     RECOMMENDS ANY CHANGES IN THE METHODS OF PAYMENT,
INCLUDING THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE STRUCTURES EMPLOYED BY THE
DEPARTMENT, THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE
MENTAL HYGIENE ADMINISTRATION;

(4)     RECOMMENDS THE NEED FOR ANY FORMAL EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL,
OR LEGISLATIVE ACTION;

(5)     DESCRIBES ISSUES IN NEED OF FUTURE STUDY BY THE
COMMISSION; AND

(6)     DISCUSSES ANY OTHER MATTER THAT RELATES TO THE PURPOSES
OF THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

- 3417 -