(i) The input costs and other underlying factors that contribute to
the rising cost of health care in this State and in the United States;

(ii) The resources necessary for the delivery of quality health care;

(iii) The additional costs associated with aging populations and new

technology;

(iv) The potential impacts of federal laws on health care costs; and

(v) The savings associated with the implementation of modified
practice patterns.

(h) Nothing in this section shall have the effect of impairing the ability of a
health maintenance organization to contract with health care practitioners or any
other individual under mutually agreed upon terms and conditions.

(i) A professional organization or society that performs activities in good faith
in furtherance of the purposes of this section is not subject to criminal or civil liability
under the Maryland Anti-Trust Act for those activities.

[19-1516.] 19-137.

(a) The Commission may implement a system to encourage health care
practitioners to voluntarily control the costs of health care services.

(b) The Commission may require health care practitioners of selected health
care specialties to cooperate with licensed operators of clinical resource management
systems that allow health care practitioners to critically analyze their charges and
utilization of services in comparison to their peers.

(c) If the Commission determines that clinical resource management systems
are not available in the private sector, the Commission, in consultation with
interested parties including payors, health care practitioners, and the [Maryland
Hospital Association] ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND HOSPITALS AND HEALTH
SYSTEMS, may develop a clinical resource management system.

(d) The Commission may adopt regulations to govern the licensing of clinical
resource management systems to ensure the accuracy and confidentiality of
information provided by the system.

[19-1513.] 19-138.

In any matter that relates to the utilization or cost of health care services
rendered by health care practitioners or office facilities, the Commission may:

(1) Hold a public hearing;

(2) Conduct an investigation; or

(3) Require the filing of any reasonable information.