SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland
read as follows:

Article - Health - General

19-111.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2) "FUND" MEANS THE HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND COST COMMISSION

FUND.

(3) "HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 15-201 OF
THE INSURANCE ARTICLE.

(3) (4) "HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER" MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO
IS LICENSED, CERTIFIED, OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE HEALTH
OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

(4) (5) "NURSING HOME" MEANS A RELATED INSTITUTION THAT IS
CLASSIFIED AS A NURSING HOME.

(5) (6) "PAYOR" MEANS:

(I) A HEALTH INSURER OR NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN
THAT HOLDS A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY AND PROVIDES HEALTH INSURANCE
POLICIES OR CONTRACTS IN THE STATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE OR
THE INSURANCE ARTICLE; OR

(H) A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION THAT HOLDS A
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY IN THE STATE.

(B) SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, THE
COMMISSION SHALL ASSESS A FEE ON:

(1) ALL HOSPITALS;

(2) ALL NURSING HOMES;

(3) ALL PAYORS; AND,

(4) ALL HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS.

(C) (1) THE TOTAL FEES ASSESSED BY THE COMMISSION MAY NOT EXCEED
$8,250,000 IN ANY FISCAL YEAR

(2) THE FEES ASSESSED BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE USED
EXCLUSIVELY TO COVER THE ACTUAL DOCUMENTED DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS
OF FULFILLING THE STATUTORY AND REGULATORY DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(3) THE COMMISSION SHALL PAY ALL FUNDS COLLECTED FROM THE
FEES ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION INTO THE FUND.