ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                           H.B. 943

May 26, 2004

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 943 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Carve-Out of
Specialty Mental Health Services.

This bill prohibits the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene from ending the
exclusion of specialty mental health services from the program requiring Medical
Assistance Program recipients to enroll in managed care organizations without
specified approval. It prohibits the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from
contracting with a behavioral managed care organization to provide specialty mental
health services without specified approval.

Senate Bill 756, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May
11, 2004, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign
House Bill 943.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor

House Bill No. 943

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Carve-Out of Specialty Mental

Health Services

FOR the purpose of requiring prohibiting the Secretary of Health and Mental
Hygiene to exclude from ending the exclusion of specialty mental health services
from the program requiring Medical Assistance Program recipients to enroll in
managed care organizations without certain approval; repealing the authority of
the Department to contract prohibiting the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene from contracting with a behavioral managed care organization to
provide specialty mental health services without certain approval; and generally
relating to specialty mental health services and the Medical Assistance
Program.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article—Health—General
Section 15-103(a)(1) and (b)(1) and (5)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2000 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

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