(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, SALARY AND BENEFITS
OF STAFF COMPARED WITH SIMILAR POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT AND IN SIMILAR
FIELDS, 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)] (III) 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;

(I) THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHANGES IN WAGES PAID BY
PROVIDERS TO CHANGES IN RATES PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT;

(II) THE ABILITY OF PROVIDERS TO OPERATE ON A SOLVENT BASIS
IN THE DELIVERY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICES THAT ARE IN THE
PUBLIC INTEREST;

(III) THE INCENTIVES AND DISINCENTIVES INCORPORATED IN THE
RATE SETTING METHODOLOGIES UTILIZED AND PROPOSED BY THE MENTAL
HYGIENE ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
ADMINISTRATION AND HOW THE METHODOLOGIES MIGHT BE IMPROVED;

(IV) ALTERNATIVE RATE SETTING METHODOLOGIES THAT MIGHT
IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF THE METHODS OF PAYMENTS TO
PROVIDERS;

(V) HOW THE QUALITY OF CARE OFFERED BY PROVIDERS CAN BE

MEASURED;

(VI) HOW INCENTIVES TO PROVIDE QUALITY OF CARE CAN BE
BUILT INTO A RATE SETTING METHODOLOGY; AND