| 1 | 1 | | |
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| 2 | 2 | | |
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| 3 | 3 | | EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. |
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| 4 | 4 | | [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. |
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| 5 | 5 | | *hb0610* |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | HOUSE BILL 610 |
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| 8 | 8 | | J1 2lr1620 |
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| 9 | 9 | | HB 470/21 – HGO CF SB 493 |
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| 10 | 10 | | By: Delegates Ruth, Bagnall, Bartlett, Belcastro, C. Branch, Bridges, |
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| 11 | 11 | | Charkoudian, Ebersole, W. Fisher, Foley, Forbes, Fraser–Hidalgo, Guyton, |
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| 12 | 12 | | Henson, Howell, R. Jones, Lehman, Moon, Palakovich Carr, Solomon, |
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| 13 | 13 | | Stewart, Terrasa, Toles, Wilkins, and Williams |
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| 14 | 14 | | Introduced and read first time: January 31, 2022 |
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| 15 | 15 | | Assigned to: Health and Government Operations |
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| 16 | 16 | | |
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| 17 | 17 | | A BILL ENTITLED |
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| 18 | 18 | | |
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| 19 | 19 | | AN ACT concerning 1 |
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| 20 | 20 | | |
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| 21 | 21 | | Public Health – Commission on Universal Health Care 2 |
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| 22 | 22 | | |
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| 23 | 23 | | FOR the purpose of establishing the Commission on Universal Health Care to develop a 3 |
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| 24 | 24 | | plan for the State to establish a universal health care program to provide health 4 |
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| 25 | 25 | | benefits to all residents of the State through a single–payer system; requiring a 5 |
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| 26 | 26 | | member of the Commission to be subject to ethics laws and disclose certain other 6 |
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| 27 | 27 | | information related to ethics; prohibiting a member of the Commission from being 7 |
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| 28 | 28 | | held personally liable for actions taken as a member under certain circumstances; 8 |
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| 29 | 29 | | and generally relating to the Commission on Universal Health Care. 9 |
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| 30 | 30 | | |
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| 31 | 31 | | BY adding to 10 |
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| 32 | 32 | | Article – Health – General 11 |
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| 33 | 33 | | Section 13–4401 through 13–4403 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 44. 12 |
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| 34 | 34 | | Commission on Universal Health Care” 13 |
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| 35 | 35 | | Annotated Code of Maryland 14 |
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| 36 | 36 | | (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 15 |
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| 37 | 37 | | |
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| 38 | 38 | | Preamble 16 |
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| 39 | 39 | | |
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| 40 | 40 | | WHEREAS, § 1332 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) 17 |
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| 41 | 41 | | allows states to request waivers of key provisions of health care reform, including the 18 |
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| 42 | 42 | | requirement to set up a health benefit exchange and provisions relating to premium credits 19 |
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| 43 | 43 | | and reduced cost sharing; and 20 |
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| 44 | 44 | | |
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| 45 | 45 | | WHEREAS, Under § 1332 of the ACA, a waiver for state innovation may be granted 21 |
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| 46 | 46 | | if it covers at least as many people as would be covered under the ACA and provides 22 |
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| 47 | 47 | | coverage that is at least as comprehensive and affordable, at no greater cost to the federal 23 |
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| 48 | 48 | | government; and 24 2 HOUSE BILL 610 |
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| 49 | 49 | | |
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| 50 | 50 | | |
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| 51 | 51 | | |
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| 52 | 52 | | WHEREAS, If an approved waiver does not provide individuals or small businesses 1 |
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| 53 | 53 | | with premium tax credits or cost–sharing reductions, a state may receive the federal 2 |
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| 54 | 54 | | funding it would have received for these purposes to help implement its approved plan; and 3 |
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| 55 | 55 | | |
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| 56 | 56 | | WHEREAS, Extensive work has been done in other states, including New York, 4 |
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| 57 | 57 | | Washington, and Maine, developing plans and legislation for state–based universal health 5 |
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| 58 | 58 | | care, including funding mechanisms and financial analyses; and 6 |
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| 59 | 59 | | |
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| 60 | 60 | | WHEREAS, Multiple jurisdictions in Maryland, including Prince George’s County, 7 |
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| 61 | 61 | | Montgomery County, and An napolis, have passed resolutions supporting universal 8 |
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| 62 | 62 | | healthcare, some of which specifically mention the creation of a Maryland Commission on 9 |
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| 63 | 63 | | Universal Health Care; and 10 |
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| 64 | 64 | | |
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| 65 | 65 | | WHEREAS, Maryland should seek to establish a health care program to contain 11 |
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| 66 | 66 | | costs and to provide comprehensive, affordable, and high–quality publicly financed health 12 |
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| 67 | 67 | | care coverage for all Maryland residents in a seamless manner regardless of income, assets, 13 |
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| 68 | 68 | | health status, or availability of other health care coverage; now, therefore, 14 |
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| 69 | 69 | | |
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| 70 | 70 | | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15 |
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| 71 | 71 | | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16 |
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| 72 | 72 | | |
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| 73 | 73 | | Article – Health – General 17 |
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| 74 | 74 | | |
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| 75 | 75 | | SUBTITLE 44. COMMISSION ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. 18 |
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| 76 | 76 | | |
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| 77 | 77 | | 13–4401. 19 |
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| 78 | 78 | | |
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| 79 | 79 | | (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 20 |
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| 80 | 80 | | INDICATED. 21 |
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| 81 | 81 | | |
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| 82 | 82 | | (B) “AFFILIATION” MEANS: 22 |
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| 83 | 83 | | |
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| 84 | 84 | | (1) A FINANCIAL INTEREST ; 23 |
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| 85 | 85 | | |
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| 86 | 86 | | (2) A POSITION OF GOVERNAN CE, INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP ON A 24 |
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| 87 | 87 | | BOARD OF DIRECTORS , REGARDLESS OF COMPEN SATION; 25 |
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| 88 | 88 | | |
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| 89 | 89 | | (3) A RELATIONSHIP THROUGH WHICH COMPENSATION I S RECEIVED; 26 |
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| 90 | 90 | | OR 27 |
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| 91 | 91 | | |
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| 92 | 92 | | (4) A RELATIONSHIP FOR THE PROVISI ON OF SERVICES AS A 28 |
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| 93 | 93 | | REGULATED LOBBYIST . 29 |
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| 94 | 94 | | |
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| 95 | 95 | | (C) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE COMMISSION ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH 30 HOUSE BILL 610 3 |
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| 96 | 96 | | |
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| 97 | 97 | | |
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| 98 | 98 | | CARE ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 13–4402 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 1 |
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| 99 | 99 | | |
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| 100 | 100 | | (D) “COMPENSATION ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 5–101 OF THE 2 |
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| 101 | 101 | | GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE. 3 |
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| 102 | 102 | | |
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| 103 | 103 | | (E) (1) “EXCHANGE” MEANS THE MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT 4 |
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| 104 | 104 | | EXCHANGE, ESTABLISHED AS A PUB LIC CORPORATION UNDE R § 31–102 OF THE 5 |
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| 105 | 105 | | INSURANCE ARTICLE. 6 |
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| 106 | 106 | | |
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| 107 | 107 | | (2) “EXCHANGE” INCLUDES: 7 |
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| 108 | 108 | | |
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| 109 | 109 | | (I) THE INDIVIDUAL EXCHANGE; AND 8 |
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| 110 | 110 | | |
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| 111 | 111 | | (II) THE SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH OPTIONS PROGRAM 9 |
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| 112 | 112 | | (SHOP EXCHANGE). 10 |
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| 113 | 113 | | |
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| 114 | 114 | | (F) “FINANCIAL INTEREST ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 11 |
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| 115 | 115 | | 5–101 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE. 12 |
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| 116 | 116 | | |
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| 117 | 117 | | (G) “REGULATED LOBBYIST ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 13 |
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| 118 | 118 | | 5–101 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE. 14 |
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| 119 | 119 | | |
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| 120 | 120 | | 13–4402. 15 |
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| 121 | 121 | | |
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| 122 | 122 | | (A) THERE IS A COMMISSION ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. 16 |
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| 123 | 123 | | |
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| 124 | 124 | | (B) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS O F THE FOLLOWING MEMB ERS: 17 |
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| 125 | 125 | | |
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| 126 | 126 | | (1) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE, AS AN EX 18 |
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| 127 | 127 | | OFFICIO MEMBER OF TH E COMMISSION; 19 |
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| 128 | 128 | | |
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| 129 | 129 | | (2) FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTE D BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE 20 |
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| 130 | 130 | | ADVICE AND CO NSENT OF THE SENATE; 21 |
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| 131 | 131 | | |
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| 132 | 132 | | (3) THREE MEMBERS APPOINT ED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE 22 |
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| 133 | 133 | | SENATE; AND 23 |
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| 134 | 134 | | |
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| 135 | 135 | | (4) THREE MEMBERS APPOINT ED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. 24 |
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| 136 | 136 | | |
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| 137 | 137 | | (C) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBER S, THE COMMISSION SHALL ELEC T A CHAIR 25 |
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| 138 | 138 | | AND VICE CHAIR. 26 |
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| 139 | 139 | | |
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| 140 | 140 | | (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE STAFF FOR TH E COMMISSION. 27 4 HOUSE BILL 610 |
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| 141 | 141 | | |
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| 142 | 142 | | |
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| 143 | 143 | | |
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| 144 | 144 | | (E) IN APPOINTING MEMBERS UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION , 1 |
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| 145 | 145 | | THE APPOINTING AUTHO RITY SHALL: 2 |
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| 146 | 146 | | |
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| 147 | 147 | | (1) ENSURE THAT THE APPOI NTEE HAS DEMONSTRATE D AND 3 |
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| 148 | 148 | | ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERTI SE IN HEALTH CARE ; 4 |
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| 149 | 149 | | |
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| 150 | 150 | | (2) CONSIDER THE EXPERTIS E OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE 5 |
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| 151 | 151 | | COMMISSION AND ATTEMP T TO MAKE APPOINTMEN TS SO THAT THE COMMISSION’S 6 |
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| 152 | 152 | | COMPOSITION REFLECTS A DIVERSITY OF EXPER TISE IN VARIOUS ASPE CTS OF 7 |
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| 153 | 153 | | HEALTH CARE ; AND 8 |
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| 154 | 154 | | |
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| 155 | 155 | | (3) CONSIDER THE CULTURAL , ETHNIC, AND GEOGRAPHICAL 9 |
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| 156 | 156 | | DIVERSITY OF THE STATE SO THAT THE COMMISSION’S COMPOSITION REFLEC TS 10 |
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| 157 | 157 | | THE COMMUNITIES OF T HE STATE. 11 |
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| 158 | 158 | | |
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| 159 | 159 | | (F) (1) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THE 2–YEAR PERIOD 12 |
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| 160 | 160 | | IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G THE MEMBER ’S APPOINTMENT AND WH ILE SERVING ON 13 |
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| 161 | 161 | | THE COMMISSION, MAY NOT BE EMPLOYED , OR HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED , IN ANY 14 |
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| 162 | 162 | | CAPACITY BY A CONSUL TANT TO A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTO RS OF OR 15 |
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| 163 | 163 | | OTHERWISE BE A REPRE SENTATIVE OF: 16 |
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| 164 | 164 | | |
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| 165 | 165 | | (I) A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ; 17 |
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| 166 | 166 | | |
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| 167 | 167 | | (II) A HEALTH CARE FACILITY ; 18 |
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| 168 | 168 | | |
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| 169 | 169 | | (III) A HEALTH CLINIC ; 19 |
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| 170 | 170 | | |
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| 171 | 171 | | (IV) A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPA NY; 20 |
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| 172 | 172 | | |
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| 173 | 173 | | (V) A MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO MPANY; OR 21 |
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| 174 | 174 | | |
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| 175 | 175 | | (VI) A CARRIER, AN INSURANCE PRODUCE R, A THIRD–PARTY 22 |
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| 176 | 176 | | ADMINISTRATOR , A MANAGED CARE ORGAN IZATION, OR ANY OTHER PERSON 23 |
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| 177 | 177 | | CONTRACTING DIRECTLY WITH THOSE PERSONS . 24 |
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| 178 | 178 | | |
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| 179 | 179 | | (2) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION MAY NOT BE A MEMBER, A BOARD 25 |
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| 180 | 180 | | MEMBER, OR AN EMPLOYEE OF A TRADE ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE FACILITI ES, 26 |
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| 181 | 181 | | HEALTH CLINICS , HEALTH CARE PROVIDER S, CARRIERS, INSURANCE PRODUCERS , 27 |
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| 182 | 182 | | THIRD–PARTY ADMINISTRATORS , MANAGED CARE ORGANIZ ATIONS, OR ANY OTHER 28 |
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| 183 | 183 | | ASSOCIATION OF ENTIT IES IN A POSITION TO CONTRACT DIRECTLY WITH THE 29 |
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| 184 | 184 | | COMMISSION UNLESS THE MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 30 |
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| 185 | 185 | | HOUSE BILL 610 5 |
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| 186 | 186 | | |
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| 187 | 187 | | |
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| 188 | 188 | | (I) RECEIVES NO COMPENSAT ION FOR RENDERING SE RVICES 1 |
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| 189 | 189 | | AS A HEALTH CARE PRO VIDER; AND 2 |
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| 190 | 190 | | |
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| 191 | 191 | | (II) DOES NOT HAVE AN OWNE RSHIP INTEREST IN A HEALTH 3 |
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| 192 | 192 | | CARE PRACTICE . 4 |
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| 193 | 193 | | |
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| 194 | 194 | | (3) THE PROVISIONS IN THIS SUBSECT ION MAY NOT BE CONST RUED 5 |
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| 195 | 195 | | TO PROHIBIT A PHYSIC IAN OR NURSE WHO DOE S NOT SERVE AS A MEM BER OF A 6 |
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| 196 | 196 | | BOARD OF DIRECTORS F OR AN ENTITY LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 7 |
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| 197 | 197 | | SUBSECTION FROM SERV ING AS A MEMBER OF T HE COMMISSION. 8 |
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| 198 | 198 | | |
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| 199 | 199 | | (G) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL DETERMINE THE TIMES, PLACES, AND 9 |
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| 200 | 200 | | FREQUENCY OF ITS MEE TINGS. 10 |
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| 201 | 201 | | |
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| 202 | 202 | | (2) FIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION CONSTITUTE A QUORUM. 11 |
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| 203 | 203 | | |
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| 204 | 204 | | (3) ACTION BY THE COMMISSION REQUIRES T HE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE 12 |
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| 205 | 205 | | OF AT LEAST FIVE MEM BERS. 13 |
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| 206 | 206 | | |
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| 207 | 207 | | (H) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 14 |
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| 208 | 208 | | |
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| 209 | 209 | | (1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 15 |
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| 210 | 210 | | COMMISSION; BUT 16 |
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| 211 | 211 | | |
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| 212 | 212 | | (2) IS ENTITLED TO: 17 |
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| 213 | 213 | | |
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| 214 | 214 | | (I) A PER DIEM RATE AS PRO VIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR 18 |
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| 215 | 215 | | ATTENDING SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION; AND 19 |
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| 216 | 216 | | |
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| 217 | 217 | | (II) REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXP ENSES UNDER THE STANDARD 20 |
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| 218 | 218 | | STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 21 |
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| 219 | 219 | | |
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| 220 | 220 | | (I) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL PERF ORM THE MEMBER ’S 22 |
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| 221 | 221 | | DUTIES: 23 |
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| 222 | 222 | | |
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| 223 | 223 | | (1) IN GOOD FAITH; 24 |
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| 224 | 224 | | |
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| 225 | 225 | | (2) IN THE MANNER THE MEM BER REASONABLY BELIE VES TO BE IN 25 |
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| 226 | 226 | | THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE; AND 26 |
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| 227 | 227 | | |
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| 228 | 228 | | (3) WITHOUT INTENTIONAL O R RECKLESS DISREGARD OF THE CARE 27 |
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| 229 | 229 | | AN ORDINARILY PRUDEN T PERSON IN A LIKE P OSITION WOULD EXERCI SE UNDER 28 |
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| 230 | 230 | | SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCE S. 29 6 HOUSE BILL 610 |
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| 231 | 231 | | |
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| 232 | 232 | | |
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| 233 | 233 | | |
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| 234 | 234 | | (J) (1) (I) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE S UBJECT TO 1 |
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| 235 | 235 | | TITLE 5, SUBTITLES 1 THROUGH 7 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE. 2 |
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| 236 | 236 | | |
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| 237 | 237 | | (II) IN ADDITION TO THE DI SCLOSURE REQUIRED UN DER TITLE 3 |
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| 238 | 238 | | 5, SUBTITLE 6 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE, A MEMBER OF THE 4 |
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| 239 | 239 | | COMMISSION SHALL DISC LOSE TO THE COMMISSION AND TO THE PUBLIC ANY 5 |
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| 240 | 240 | | RELATIONSHIP NOT ADD RESSED IN THE REQUIR ED FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE THAT 6 |
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| 241 | 241 | | THE MEMBER HAS WITH A HEALTH CARE PROVID ER, A HEALTH CLINIC , A 7 |
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| 242 | 242 | | PHARMACEUTICAL COMPA NY, A MEDICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY, A CARRIER, AN 8 |
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| 243 | 243 | | INSURANCE PRODUCER , A THIRD–PARTY ADMINISTRATOR , A MANAGED CARE 9 |
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| 244 | 244 | | ORGANIZATION , OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN AN INDUSTRY INVOLVED IN MATTERS 10 |
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| 245 | 245 | | LIKELY TO COME BEFOR E THE COMMISSION. 11 |
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| 246 | 246 | | |
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| 247 | 247 | | (2) ON ALL MATTERS THAT C OME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE 12 |
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| 248 | 248 | | MEMBER SHALL : 13 |
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| 249 | 249 | | |
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| 250 | 250 | | (I) ADHERE STRICTLY TO TH E CONFLICT OF INTERE ST 14 |
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| 251 | 251 | | PROVISIONS UNDER TITLE 5, SUBTITLE 5 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 15 |
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| 252 | 252 | | RELATING TO RESTRICT IONS ON PARTICIPATIO N, EMPLOYMENT , AND FINANCIAL 16 |
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| 253 | 253 | | INTERESTS; AND 17 |
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| 254 | 254 | | |
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| 255 | 255 | | (II) PROVIDE FULL DISCLOSU RE TO THE COMMISSION AND THE 18 |
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| 256 | 256 | | PUBLIC ON: 19 |
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| 257 | 257 | | |
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| 258 | 258 | | 1. ANY MATTER THAT GIVES RISE TO A POTENTIAL 20 |
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| 259 | 259 | | CONFLICT OF INTEREST ; AND 21 |
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| 260 | 260 | | |
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| 261 | 261 | | 2. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE MEMBER WILL COMPLY 22 |
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| 262 | 262 | | WITH THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 5, SUBTITLE 5 OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS 23 |
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| 263 | 263 | | ARTICLE TO AVOID ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR APPEARANCE OF A C ONFLICT 24 |
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| 264 | 264 | | OF INTEREST. 25 |
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| 265 | 265 | | |
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| 266 | 266 | | (K) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION WHO PERFOR MS THE MEMBER ’S 26 |
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| 267 | 267 | | DUTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE STANDARD ESTABLIS HED UNDER SUBSECTION 27 |
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| 268 | 268 | | (I) OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE PERSONALLY LI ABLE FOR ACTIONS TAK EN AS A 28 |
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| 269 | 269 | | MEMBER IF DONE IN GO OD FAITH, WITHOUT INTENT TO DE FRAUD, AND IN 29 |
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| 270 | 270 | | CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION , MANAGEMENT , OR CONDUCT RELATED 30 |
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| 271 | 271 | | TO THIS SUBTITLE. 31 |
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| 272 | 272 | | |
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| 273 | 273 | | (L) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION MAY BE REM OVED FOR 32 |
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| 274 | 274 | | INCOMPETENCE , MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PERFOR M THE DUTIES OF THE 33 |
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| 275 | 275 | | POSITION. 34 HOUSE BILL 610 7 |
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| 276 | 276 | | |
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| 277 | 277 | | |
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| 278 | 278 | | |
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| 279 | 279 | | 13–4403. 1 |
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| 280 | 280 | | |
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| 281 | 281 | | (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP A PLAN FOR THE STATE TO 2 |
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| 282 | 282 | | ESTABLISH, ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, A UNIVERSAL HEALTH C ARE PROGRAM TO 3 |
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| 283 | 283 | | PROVIDE HEALTH BENEF ITS TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THE STATE THROUGH A 4 |
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| 284 | 284 | | SINGLE–PAYER SYSTEM . 5 |
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| 285 | 285 | | |
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| 286 | 286 | | (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER HOW TO: 6 |
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| 287 | 287 | | |
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| 288 | 288 | | (1) INCORPORATE HEALTH CA RE EQUITY AS A GOAL OF THE PLAN; 7 |
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| 289 | 289 | | |
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| 290 | 290 | | (2) REDUCE HEALTH C ARE DISPARITIES; AND 8 |
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| 291 | 291 | | |
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| 292 | 292 | | (3) INCREASE HEALTH CARE ACCESS, PARTICULARLY IN URBA N AND 9 |
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| 293 | 293 | | RURAL SETTINGS WITH LIMITED ACCESS . 10 |
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| 294 | 294 | | |
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| 295 | 295 | | (C) IN DEVELOPING THE PLA N, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER PLANS 11 |
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| 296 | 296 | | AND ANALYSES DONE IN OTHER STATES . 12 |
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| 297 | 297 | | |
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| 298 | 298 | | (D) THE HEALTH CARE PROGR AM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO : 13 |
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| 299 | 299 | | |
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| 300 | 300 | | (1) PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE , AFFORDABLE , AND HIGH–QUALITY 14 |
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| 301 | 301 | | PUBLICLY FINANCED HE ALTH CARE COVERAGE F OR ALL RESIDENTS OF THE STATE 15 |
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| 302 | 302 | | IN A SEAMLESS AND EQ UITABLE MANNER , REGARDLESS OF INCOME , ASSETS, 16 |
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| 303 | 303 | | HEALTH STATUS , CITIZENSHIP OR IMMIG RATION STATUS, OR AVAILABILITY OF 17 |
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| 304 | 304 | | OTHER HEALTH CARE CO VERAGE; 18 |
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| 305 | 305 | | |
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| 306 | 306 | | (2) INCLUDE A BENEFIT PAC KAGE COVERING PRIMAR Y CARE, 19 |
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| 307 | 307 | | PREVENTIVE CARE , CHRONIC CARE , ACUTE EPISODIC CARE , REPRODUCTIVE CARE , 20 |
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| 308 | 308 | | INCLUDING PREGNANCY , BIRTH CONTROL , AND ABORTION SERVICE S, AND 21 |
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| 309 | 309 | | HOSPITAL SER VICES; 22 |
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| 310 | 310 | | |
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| 311 | 311 | | (3) RECOMMEND HOW , TO THE MAXIMUM EXTEN T ALLOWABLE 23 |
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| 312 | 312 | | UNDER FEDERAL LAW AN D WAIVERS FROM FEDER AL LAW, TO: 24 |
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| 313 | 313 | | |
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| 314 | 314 | | (I) ENSURE THAT ALL FEDER AL PAYMENTS PROVIDED IN THE 25 |
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| 315 | 315 | | STATE FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE PAID DI RECTLY TO THE HEALTH CARE 26 |
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| 316 | 316 | | PROGRAM; AND 27 |
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| 317 | 317 | | |
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| 318 | 318 | | (II) ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BENEFITS AND 28 |
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| 319 | 319 | | SERVICES CURRENTLY P AID FOR AND PROVIDED UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL 29 |
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| 320 | 320 | | PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE EXCHANGE, MEDICAID, AND MEDICARE; 30 8 HOUSE BILL 610 |
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| 321 | 321 | | |
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| 322 | 322 | | |
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| 323 | 323 | | |
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| 324 | 324 | | (4) INCLUDE HEALTH CARE C OVERAGE PROVIDED : 1 |
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| 325 | 325 | | |
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| 326 | 326 | | (I) BY EMPLOYERS THAT CHO OSE TO PARTICIPATE; AND 2 |
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| 327 | 327 | | |
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| 328 | 328 | | (II) TO STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOY EES; AND 3 |
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| 329 | 329 | | |
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| 330 | 330 | | (5) CONTAIN COSTS BY : 4 |
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| 331 | 331 | | |
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| 332 | 332 | | (I) PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO RESIDENTS TO AVOI D 5 |
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| 333 | 333 | | PREVENTABLE HEALTH C ONDITIONS, PROMOTE HEALTH , AND AVOID UNNECESSAR Y 6 |
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| 334 | 334 | | EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT S; 7 |
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| 335 | 335 | | |
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| 336 | 336 | | (II) ESTABLISHING INNOVATIVE PAYMEN T MECHANISMS TO 8 |
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| 337 | 337 | | HEALTH CARE PROFESSI ONALS, SUCH AS GLOBAL PAYME NTS; AND 9 |
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| 338 | 338 | | |
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| 339 | 339 | | (III) REDUCING UNNECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE 10 |
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| 340 | 340 | | EXPENDITURES . 11 |
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| 341 | 341 | | |
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| 342 | 342 | | (E) THE PLAN SHALL INCLUD E: 12 |
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| 343 | 343 | | |
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| 344 | 344 | | (1) A TIMELINE FOR THE EST ABLISHMENT OF THE HE ALTH CARE 13 |
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| 345 | 345 | | PROGRAM; 14 |
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| 346 | 346 | | |
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| 347 | 347 | | (2) PLANS FOR TRANSITION TO THE HEALTH CARE P ROGRAM, 15 |
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| 348 | 348 | | INCLUDING: 16 |
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| 349 | 349 | | |
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| 350 | 350 | | (I) SUSPENDING OPERATIONS OF THE EXCHANGE TO ENABLE 17 |
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| 351 | 351 | | THE STATE TO RECEIVE THE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION IN LIEU 18 |
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| 352 | 352 | | OF THE FEDERAL PREMI UM TAX CREDITS , COST–SHARING SUBSIDIES , AND SMALL 19 |
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| 353 | 353 | | BUSINESS TAX CREDITS PROVIDED IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT; 20 |
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| 354 | 354 | | |
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| 355 | 355 | | (II) HOW TO FULLY INTEGRAT E OR ALIGN MEDICAID, 21 |
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| 356 | 356 | | MEDICARE, PRIVATE INSURANCE , AND STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL 22 |
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| 357 | 357 | | EMPLOYEES INTO OR WI TH THE HEALTH CARE P ROGRAM; AND 23 |
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| 358 | 358 | | |
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| 359 | 359 | | (III) A PLAN FOR TRANSITI ONING WORKERS DISPLA CED BY 24 |
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| 360 | 360 | | CHANGES TO THE HEALT H CARE SYSTEM ; 25 |
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| 361 | 361 | | |
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| 362 | 362 | | (3) A PROPOSED OPERATING S TRUCTURE FOR THE HEA LTH CARE 26 |
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| 363 | 363 | | PROGRAM; 27 |
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| 364 | 364 | | |
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| 365 | 365 | | (4) COST PROJECTIONS FOR THE HEALTH CARE PROG RAM AND 28 HOUSE BILL 610 9 |
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| 366 | 366 | | |
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| 367 | 367 | | |
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| 368 | 368 | | RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AMOUNTS AND MECH ANISMS NECESSARY TO FINANCE 1 |
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| 369 | 369 | | THE HEALTH CARE PROGRA M; 2 |
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| 370 | 370 | | |
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| 371 | 371 | | (5) (I) A PROPOSED HEALTH BENE FIT PACKAGE TO BE OF FERED IN 3 |
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| 372 | 372 | | THE HEALTH CARE PROG RAM; AND 4 |
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| 373 | 373 | | |
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| 374 | 374 | | (II) AN ANALYSIS OF WHETHE R THE HEALTH CARE PR OGRAM 5 |
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| 375 | 375 | | SHOULD INCLUDE DENTA L, VISION, HEARING, AND LONG–TERM CARE BENEFITS ; 6 |
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| 376 | 376 | | AND 7 |
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| 377 | 377 | | |
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| 378 | 378 | | (6) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGIS LATION REQUIRED TO E STABLISH 8 |
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| 379 | 379 | | THE HEALTH CARE PROG RAM. 9 |
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| 380 | 380 | | |
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| 381 | 381 | | (F) THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBM IT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN 10 |
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| 382 | 382 | | ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE SENATE 11 |
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| 383 | 383 | | FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS 12 |
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| 384 | 384 | | COMMITTEE: 13 |
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| 385 | 385 | | |
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| 386 | 386 | | (1) ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1, 2023, AN INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT ON 14 |
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| 387 | 387 | | THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN TO ESTABLISH TH E HEALTH CARE PROGRA M; AND 15 |
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| 388 | 388 | | |
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| 389 | 389 | | (2) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2024, THE PLAN TO ESTABLIS H THE 16 |
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| 390 | 390 | | HEALTH CARE PROGRAM . 17 |
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| 391 | 391 | | |
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| 392 | 392 | | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 18 |
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| 393 | 393 | | 1, 2022. It shall remain effective for a period of 4 years and 1 month and, at the end of June 19 |
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| 394 | 394 | | 30, 2026, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 20 |
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| 395 | 395 | | abrogated and of no further force and effect. 21 |
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| 396 | 396 | | |
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| 397 | 397 | | |
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| 398 | 398 | | |
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