(b) The Commission is an independent commission that functions in the
Department.

(c) The purpose of the Commission is to:

(1) Develop health care cost containment strategies to help provide
access to appropriate quality health care services for all Marylanders, after
consulting with [the Health Resources Planning Commission and] the Health
Services Cost Review Commission;

(2) PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTH REGULATORY SYSTEM
THAT PROVIDES, FOR ALL MARYLANDERS, FINANCIAL AND GEOGRAPHIC ACCESS TO
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AT A REASONABLE COST BY:

(I) ADVOCATING POLICIES AND SYSTEMS TO PROMOTE THE
EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES; AND

(II) ENHANCING THE STRENGTHS OF THE CURRENT HEALTH CARE
SERVICE DELIVERY AND REGULATORY SYSTEM;

[(2)] (3) Facilitate the public disclosure of medical claims data for the
development of public policy;

[(3)] (4) Establish and develop a medical care data base on health care
services rendered by health care practitioners;

[(4)] (5) Encourage the development of clinical resource management
systems to permit the comparison of costs between various treatment settings and the
availability of information to consumers, providers, and purchasers of health care
services;

[(5)] (6) In accordance with Title 15, Subtitle 12 of the Insurance Article,

develop:

(i) A uniform set of effective benefits to be included in the
Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan; and

(ii) A modified health benefit plan for medical savings accounts;

[(6)] (7) Analyze the medical care data base and provide, in aggregate
form, an annual report on the variations in costs associated with health care
practitioners;

[(7)] (8) Ensure utilization of the medical care data base as a primary
means to compile data and information and annually report on trends and variances
regarding fees for service, cost of care, regional and national comparisons, and
indications of malpractice situations;

[(8)] (9) Develop a payment system for health care services;

[(9)] (10) Establish standards for the operation and licensing of medical
care electronic claims clearinghouses in Maryland;

[(10)] (11) Foster the development of practice parameters;