PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 14

(viii) The Secretary shall appoint nonvoting members from managed
care organizations who may participate in Committee meetings, unless the Committee
meets in closed session as provided in § 10-508 of the State Government Article.

(ix) The Committee shall determine the times and places of its

meetings.

(x) A member of the Committee:

1. May not receive compensation; but

2. Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the
Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(c) (1) (i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings
indicated.

(ii) "Certified nurse practitioner" means a registered nurse who is
licensed in this State, has completed a nurse practitioner program approved by the State
Board of Nursing, and has passed an examination approved by that Board.

(iii) "Nurse anesthetist" means a registered nurse who is:

1. Certified under the Health Occupations Article to practice

nurse anesthesia; and

2. Certified by the Council on Certification or the Council on
Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.

(iv) "Nurse midwife" means a registered nurse who is licensed in this
State and has been certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives as a nurse
midwife.

(v) "Optometrist" has the meaning stated in § 11-101 of the Health
Occupations Article.

(2) The Secretary may contract for the provision of care under the Program
to eligible Program recipients.

(3) The Secretary may contract with insurance companies or nonprofit
health service plans or with individuals, associations, partnerships, incorporated or
unincorporated groups of physicians, chiropractors, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists,
pharmacists, hospitals, nursing homes, nurses, including nurse anesthetists, nurse
midwives and certified nurse practitioners, opticians, and other health practitioners who
are licensed or certified in this State and perform services on the prescription or referral
of a physician.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the nurse midwife need not be under
the supervision of a physician.

(5) Except as otherwise provided by law, a contract that the Secretary makes
under this subsection shall continue unless terminated under the terms of the contract by
the Program or by the provider.

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