2002 Testimony & Position Papers

Page last updated on April 5, 2002

Questions and comments regarding any Testimony and Position Papers listed below should be directed to MedChi's Annapolis Office at 410-974-8384 (Baltimore area) or 410-263-4035.

House Bills

House Bill 2 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Health Entity - Conditions for Approval SUPPORT

House Bill 29 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Emergency Regulations - Smoking in Bars SUPPORT

House Bill 72 - Bioscience Issues and Concerns - State Advisory Council SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 86 - Health - Maryland Aids Insurance Assistance Program - Sunset Extension SUPPORT

House Bill 141 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Health Entities - Limitations on Officers, Directors, and Trustees SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 210 - Health - Blood Donation - Minors SUPPORT

House Bill 231 - Health Insurance - Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Premium Tax SUPPORT

House Bill 249 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Reimbursement for Outpatient Mental Health Treatment - Dual Eligibility SUPPORT

House Bill 277 - Health Care - Programs and Facilities - Pain Management SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 296 - Catastrophic Health Emergencies - Powers of the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 303 - Governor's Emergency Powers SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 329 - Health Care Worker Whistleblower Protection Act OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 361 - Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Biological Agents Registry Program In House:  OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED In Senate:  NEW TESTIMONY--SUPPORT AS AMENDED

House Bill 375 - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Examination Requirements - Exception SUPPORT

House Bill 397 - Medical Assistance Program - Employed Persons with Disabilities Program SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 412 - Education -Sports Programs - Mouthguards SUPPORT

House Bill 448 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Health Entities - Form of Remuneration SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 450 - Civil Actions - Enforcement of Prompt Payment of Claims SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 483 - Mental Hygiene - Maryland Mental Health Crisis Response System SUPPORT

House Bill 496 - Health - Infectious and Contagious Diseases - Hepatitis B Virus SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 518 - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Medical Radiation and Nuclear Medicine Technologists SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 533 - Maryland Physician Assistants Act - Revisions SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 542 - Gun Safety Act of 2002 SUPPORT

House Bill 543 - Gun Accountability Act of 2002  SUPPORT

House Bill 561 - Income Tax Credit for Services Donate4d by Health Care Professionals SUPPORT

House Bill 628 - Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Board of Directors - Compensation  SUPPORT

House Bill 650 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Maryland Children's Health Program - Reimbursement Rates SUPPORT

House Bill 674 - Medical Assistance - Pharmaceutical Products - Accessibility and Coverage Protection for Enrollees SUPPORT

House Bill 678 - Long-Term Residential Drug Treatment Pilot Program SUPPORT

House Bill 692 - Health Insurance - Habilitative Services - Modification and Clarification SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 699 - Vehicle Laws - Child Booster Seats SUPPORT CONSISTENT WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES

House Bill 754 - Health Insurance - Nonrenewal of Individual Health Benefit Plans - Requirements for Carriers with Affiliates SUPPORT

House Bill 761 - Pharmacy Benefit Management Regulations Act SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 781 - Physicians and Pharmacists - Therapy Management Contracts SUPPORT

House Bill 795 - Health Insurance - Private Review Agents - Adverse Decisions SUPPORT

House Bill 797 - Pilot Program for Tobacco Cessation Services for Individuals with Mental Disorders SUPPORT

House Bill 799 - Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Board Member and Officer Compensation SUPPORT

House Bill 805 - Health Maintenance Organizations - Reimbursement of Noncontracting Providers SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 807 - Health Insurance - Required Reimbursement - Podiatrists OPPOSE

House Bill 822 - State Health Plan - False Representation OPPOSE

House Bill 836 - Parental Rights Act of 2002 OPPOSE

House Bill 846 - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 861 - Tax Credit for Cost of Automated External Defibrillator SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 822 - Maryland Health Care Foundation - Health Insurance Demonstration Project for Uninsured, Low-Income Workers SUPPORT

House Bill 896 - Health Insurance - Mental Illness - Coverage for Residential Crisis Services SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 913 - Workers' Compensation - Payment to a Health Care Practitioner - Claims SUPPORT

House Bill 935 - Small Group Health Insurance - Preexisting Conditions OPPOSE

House Bill 936 - Health Maintenance Organizations - Reimbursement of Noncontracting Providers - Emergency Services SUPPORT

House Bill 1006 - Medicaid Reimbursement - Community-Based Services for Children with Disabilities SUPPORT

House Bill 1015 - Health Care Records - Ex Parte Communications with Health Care Providers OPPOSE

House Bill 1025 - Health Insurance - Benefits for Treatment of Mental Illnesses, Emotional Disorders, and Drug and Alcohol Abuse  SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 1035 - Disease Prevention - Hepatitis A, B, and C Education and Prevention Program SUPPORT

House Bill 1059 - Task Force on Medicaid Disease Management Programs SUPPORT

House Bill 1112 - Health Insurance - Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations - Expense and Loss Ratios and Reports SUPPORT

House Bill 1122 - Prescription Drug Manufacturer Rebates - Supplementary Appropriation - Medical Care Programs Administration OPPOSE

House Bill 1134 - Health - Genetic Tests - Medical Laboratory Director SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 1154 - Lead Poisoning Protection Act SUPPORT

House Bill 1157 - Health Care Practitioners - Credentials - Uniform Credentialing Form SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 1159 - Small Group Health Insurance - Community Rate Adjustment - Small Employer Group Experience OPPOSE

House Bill 1163 - Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunizations SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 1173 - Health General - Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program - Increase in Copayment Amount SUPPORT

House Bill 1177 - Managed Care Organizations - Claim Payments and Late Fines OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED

House Bill 1186 - Fair Market Drug Pricing Act OPPOSE

House Bill 1207 - Health Insurance - Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Reform SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 1216 - Health Occupations - Maryland Athletic Trainers Act SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 1222 - Darrell Putnam Compassionate Use Act OPPOSE

House Bill 1228 - Health Insurance Safety Net Act of 2002 SUPPORT

House Bill 1254 - Acquisition of a Nonprofit Health Service Plan - Prohibition SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 1259 - Health Occupations - Medical Review Committees - Civil Immunity SUPPORT

House Bill 1270 - Mental Hygiene Administration - Community Mental Health Services - Minority Populations SUPPORT

House Bill 1273 - Health - Assistance Programs - Prescription Drugs SUPPORT THE CONCEPT

House Bill 1278 - Health Care - Advance Medical Directives SUPPORT

House Bill 1295 - Maryland Health Care Foundation - Health Disparities SUPPORT

House Bill 1304 - Health and Disability Insurance - Appeals and Grievance Process - Modifications SUPPORT

House Bill 1311 - Nonprofit Health Entities - Blue Cross and Blue Shield Trademarks  SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

House Bill 1312 - Health - Managed Care Organizations - Credentialing SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 1319 - Medical Assistance Programs - Long Term Care - Eligibility Requirements SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

House Bill 1360 - Motor Vehicle Insurance - Claims by Members and Subscribers of Health Maintenance Organizations SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

House Bill 1449 - Insurance Premiums Tax - Health Maintenance Organizations SUPPORT

Senate Bills

Senate Bill 42 - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Examination Requirements - Exception SUPPORT

Senate Bill 69 - Medicaid Reimbursement - Community-Based Services for Children with Disabilities  SUPPORT

Senate Bill 71 - Health Insurance Expansion Initiative of 2002 SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 167 - Vehicle Laws - Motorcycle Helmets - Minors OPPOSE

Senate Bill 183 - Medical Assistance Program - Employed Persons with Disabilities Program SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 206 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Reimbursement for Outpatient Mental Health Treatment - Dual Eligibility SUPPORT

Senate Bill 222 - Gun Accountability Act of 2002 SUPPORT

Senate Bill 223 - Gun Safety Act of 2002 SUPPORT

Senate Bill 224 - Gun Accountability Act of 2002 SUPPORT

Senate Bill 228 - Medical Assistance Program - Employed Persons with Disabilities Program SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 234 - Catastrophic Health Emergencies - Powers of the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 235 - Governor's Emergency Powers SUPPORT INCORPORATION INTO SENATE BILL 234 NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 269 - Health Care - Programs and Facilities - Pain Management SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 274 - Health Insurance - Required Reimbursement - Podiatrists OPPOSE

Senate Bill 306 - Mental Hygiene Administration - Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Fund SUPPORT

Senate Bill 317 - Maryland False Health Claims Act OPPOSE

Senate Bill 370 - Health Insurance Carriers - Standing Referrals to Specialists SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 410 - Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Participation in the State Medical Assistance Program SUPPORT

Senate Bill 411 - Nonprofit Health Service Plans - Financial Audit to Determine Value of Public Benefits SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 412 - Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority - Nonprofit Health Service Plans SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 413 - Health Insurance - Substantial, Available, and Affordable Coverage Products - Reform SUPPORT

Senate Bill 421 - Health Occupations - Physicians - Medical Review Committees SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 434 - Prescription Drug Discounts and Rebates - Additional Authority OPPOSE

Senate Bill 446 - Workers' Compensation - Appeals - Evidence SUPPORT

Senate Bill 451 - Maryland Health Care Foundation - Health Disparities SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 466 - Health Maintenance Organizations - Reimbursement of Noncontracting Providers SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 481 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Maryland Children's Health Program - Reimbursement Rates SUPPORT

Senate Bill 483 - Medical Assistance - Pharmaceutical Products - Accessibility and Coverage Protection for Enrollees SUPPORT

Senate Bill 487 - Acquisition of Nonprofit Health Entity - Conditions for Approval SUPPORT

Senate Bill 534 - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Medical Radiation and Nuclear Medicine Technologists SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 537 - Health Occupations - Nurses' Bill of Rights SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

Senate Bill 539 - Physicians - Default on Federal Education Loans or Service Obligations - Penalties SUPPORT ONLY IF AMENDED

Senate Bill 548 - Health Insurance - Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations - Expense and Loss Ratios and Reports SUPPORT

Senate Bill 550 - Fair Market Drug Pricing Act OPPOSE

Senate Bill 556 - Mental Hygiene - Maryland Mental Health Crisis Response System SUPPORT

Senate Bill 558 - Health - Infectious and Contagious Diseases - Hepatitis B Virus SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 562 - Health Maintenance Organizations - Reimbursement of Noncontracting Providers - Emergency Services SUPPORT

Senate Bill 592 - Acquisitions of Nonprofit Health Entities - Limitations on Approval - Public Interest and Fair Values SUPPORT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 609 - Maryland Health Care Foundation - Health Insurance Demonstration Project for Uninsured, Low-Income Workers SUPPORT

Senate Bill 613 - State Board of Physician Quality Assurance - Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 614 - Medical Assistance Programs - Long Term Care - Eligibility Requirements SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

Senate Bill 615 - State Health Plan - False Representation OPPOSE

Senate Bill 623 - Prescription Drug Manufacturer Rebates - Supplementary Appropriation - Medical Care Programs Administration OPPOSE

Senate Bill 651 - Health Insurance - Nonrenewal of Individual Health Benefit Plans - Requirements for Carriers with Affiliates SUPPORT

Senate Bill 663 - Workers' Compensation - Payment to a Health Care Practitioner - Claims  SUPPORT

Senate Bill 676 - Physicians and Pharmacists - Therapy Management Contracts SUPPORT

Senate Bill 738 - Task Force on the Reform of the Public Mental Health System in Maryland SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 786 - Tax Credit for Cost of Automated External Defibrillator SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

Senate Bill 788 - Statewide Advisory Commission on Immunizations SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

Senate Bill 798 - Health Insurance - Reimbursement of Health Care Practitioners SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

Senate Bill 802 - Vehicle Laws - Child Booster Seats SUPPORT CONSISTENT WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES

Senate Bill 819 - Health Care Practitioners - Credentials - Uniform Credentialing Form SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

Senate Bill 820 - Health - Managed Care Organizations - Credentialing SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT NEW TESTIMONY

Senate Bill 842 - Health and Disability Insurance - Appeals and Grievance Process - Modifications SUPPORT

Senate Bill 880 - Acquisition of a Nonprofit Health Service Plan - Prohibition SUPPORT