MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                             2635

No. 10

(Senate Joint Resolution No. 33)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Comprehensive Health Planning

FOR the purpose of urging the Maryland Congressional
Delegation to amend PL 93-641, dealing with
comprehensive health planning to give local health
planning authorities the power to make more
meaningful decisions with regard to health planning
on the local level.

WHEREAS, PL 93-641, enacted into law by the 93rd
Congress gives to the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education
and Welfare, complete and unlimited power over the
location of health facilities, the scope of health
services, the determination as to need for hospital beds
and facilities in each of the 50 states, the control of
federal funding assigned to Maryland; and

WHEREAS, This statutory power provides for no local
accountability on the part of the persons and groups who
will establish health policies for the people of the
various states; and

WHEREAS, In spite of local needs, wishes or desires,
the Health Systems Agencies, designated by the Department
of Health, Education and Welfare can exercise complete
control, without let or hinder, over health services in
the five separate Health Service Areas in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, This type of unbridled authority is unheard
of in our Democratic system; and

WHEREAS, Unrestricted decisions will be made by
persons who may have no identification or responsibility
to local citizens; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the above, these Health
Systems Agencies also have authority and power for the
allocation of all federal funds involving health
services, research and care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
The Maryland Delegation to the U.S. Congress be urged to
prepare and introduce appropriate legislation to amend PL
93-641 so that it will:

1. Provide for accountability to and input from
local groups and officials, including but not limited to
boards of directors of health care institutions;