H.B. 143                                                 VETOES

requires the Maryland Medbank Program to be administered by Medbank of
Maryland, Inc. This legislation also provides that the Medbank Program shall be
funded by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Senate Bill 334, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House
Bill 143.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

House Bill No. 143

AN ACT concerning

Maryland—Health—Care—Foundation— Maryland Medbank Program -
Administration, Extension and Funding

FOR the purpose of extending the termination date of the Maryland Medbank
Program administered by the Maryland Health Care Foundation; requiring the
Maryland Medbank Program to be administered by Medbank of Maryland, Inc.;
requiring Medbank of Maryland, Inc. to contract with certain entities to operate
the Program; providing that the Program shall be funded entirely by the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; requiring Medbank of Maryland,
Inc. to ensure that the Program is available to residents in certain geographic
regions of the State; repealing certain provisions relating to the use of certain
regional offices and providing that Medbank of Maryland, Inc. shall be the
central coordinating office for the State; requiring the Department to require
certain financial reports from Medbank of Maryland, Inc.; requiring Medbank of
Maryland, Inc. to release funds to certain entities; requiring the Department and
Medbank of Maryland, Inc. to report certain information to the Governor and
General Assembly on or before a certain date each year; authorizing Maryland
Medbank Program funds to be used to distribute medication to enrollees under
certain circumstances; requiring the Governor to include in the annual budget
bill a certain appropriation the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to
request funding for a certain purpose; providing for the termination of this Act;
and generally relating to the Maryland Medbank Program administered by the
Maryland Health Care Foundation.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Health - General
Section 15-124.2
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2000 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Chapter 134 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2001, as amended by
Chapter 153 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2002

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