(6) MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE USE OF THE
INTERNET IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING:

(I) THE USE OF AN ON-LINE DATABASE FOR PATIENT MEDICAL

HISTORY; AND

(II) PROCESSING PAYMENT AND INSURANCE TRANSACTIONS

ON-LINE: AND

[(2)] (7) providing advice and counsel to the Chief on such other matters
as the Chief may request.

(B) (1) THE BOARD SHALL CREATE AN ANNUAL REPORT DETAILING ITS
ACTIVITIES AND FINDINGS.

(2) THE BOARD SHALL PRESENT ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE
GOVERNOR AND, SUBJECT TO § 2-1246 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1999.

Approved May 27, 1999.

CHAPTER 657
(House Bill 705)

AN ACT concerning

Hospitals and Freestanding—Ambulatory—Care Ambulatory Surgical
Facilities - Quality of Care and Performance Act

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Health Care Access and Cost Commission to
develop a system to comparatively evaluate hospital and freestanding
ambulatory care surgical facility quality of care outcomes and performance
measurements on an objective basis and to consider certain factors when
developing the measurements; authorizing the Commission to disseminate the
findings of performance measurements to consumers, hospitals, freestanding
ambulatory care surgical facilities, and certain interested parties; authorizing
the Commission to adopt certain regulations; requiring the Commission to
consider certain performance measurements of certain entities and to evaluate
the desirability and feasibility of developing a certain consumer clearing house;
requiring a certain report by a certain date; allowing the Commission to contract
with a private entity to implement the system required to be established by this
Act; requiring the Commission to consult with certain entities and interested
parties in performing its duties under this Act; defining a certain term; making
stylistic and technical changes; and generally relating to hospital and
freestanding ambulatory care surgical facility quality of care and performance
evaluation and reports.