(II) ANNUALLY PUBLISH THE SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE

EVALUATION.

(2) (I) THE PURPOSE OF A COMPARABLE PERFORMANCE
MEASUREMENT SYSTEM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SECTION IS TO IMPROVE THE
QUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED BY HOSPITALS AND FREESTANDING AMBULATORY
CARE SURGICAL FACILITIES BY ESTABLISHING A COMMON SET OF PERFORMANCE
MEASUREMENTS AND DISSEMINATING THE FINDINGS OF THE PERFORMANCE
MEASUREMENTS TO HOSPITALS, FREESTANDING AMBULATORY CARE SURGICAL
FACULTIES, CONSUMERS, AND INTERESTED PARTIES.

(II) IN DEVELOPING THE PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM,
THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION, URBAN OR RURAL
ORIENTATION, AND TEACHING OR NONTEACHING STATUS OF THE HOSPITAL AND
THE FREE STANDING AMBULATORY CARE SURGICAL FACILITIES, AND THE HEALTH
STATUS OF THE POPULATION SERVED.

(3) THE SYSTEM, WHERE APPROPRIATE, SHALL SOLICIT PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION FROM CONSUMERS.

(4) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO ESTABLISH
THE SYSTEM OF EVALUATION PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION.

(II) BEFORE ADOPTING REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT AN
EVALUATION SYSTEM UNDER THIS SUBSECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL:

1. CONSIDER THE PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS OF THE
JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND
APPROPRIATE ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATIONS, STATE LICENSURE REGULATIONS,
MEDICARE CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS. THE QUALITY INDICATOR PROJECT OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS, AND ANY
OTHER RELEVANT PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS;

2. EVALUATE THE DESIRABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF
DEVELOPING A CONSUMER CLEARINGHOUSE ON HEALTH CARE INFORMATION
USING EXISTING AVAILABLE DATA; AND

3. ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2001, REPORT TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SUBJECT TO § 2-2146 2-1246 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE, ON ANY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION DEVELOPED UNDER SUBSECTION (D)
OF THIS SECTION THIS SUBSECTION.

(5) THE COMMISSION MAY CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE ENTITY TO
IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEM REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION PROVIDED THAT THE
ENTITY IS NOT A HOSPITAL OR A FREESTANDING AMBULATORY CARE SURGICAL
FACILITY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Health Care Access
and Cost Commission shall perform its duties specified in Section 1 of this Act in
consultation with the Association of Maryland Hospitals and Health Systems, the
Maryland Ambulatory Surgical Association, and interested parties, including
consumers, payors, and employers.