Section 20-1401 – Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.     (b)    “Advisory Committee” means the Health Equity Resource Community Advisory Committee.     (c)    “Commission” means the Community Health Resources Commission.     (d)    “Community health worker” has the meaning stated in § 13–3701 of this article.     (e)    “Federally qualified health center” has the meaning stated in § 24–1301 of this article.     (f)    “Fund” […]

Section 20-1402 – Targeting State Resources — Regulations Governing the Allocation of Resources — Additional Staff

    (a)    The purpose of establishing Health Equity Resource Communities is to target State resources to specific areas of the State to:         (1)    Reduce health disparities;         (2)    Improve health outcomes;         (3)    Improve access to primary care;         (4)    Promote primary and secondary prevention services; and         (5)    Reduce health care costs and hospital admissions and readmissions.     (b)    (1)    The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out […]

Section 20-1403 – Health Equity Resource Community Advisory Committee — Duties — Committee Members — Collective Knowledge — Terms — Meetings

    (a)    (1)    On or before July 1, 2021, the Commission shall establish a Health Equity Resource Community Advisory Committee.         (2)    The duties of the Advisory Committee include:             (i)    Providing initial and ongoing assistance and guidance regarding program evaluation and data collection metrics for Health Equity Resource Communities and health equity research practitioners;             (ii)    Assisting the Commission in preparing the required […]

Section 20-1404 – Designation as a Health Equity Resource Community — Application Contents — Sufficient Funding

    (a)    For an area to receive a designation as a Health Equity Resource Community, a nonprofit community–based organization, a nonprofit hospital, an institution of higher education, a federally qualified health center, or a local government agency shall:         (1)    Apply to the Commission on behalf of the area to receive the designation; and         (2)    Include federally qualified health centers […]

Section 20-1405 – Request for Designation Proposals — Application Priority — Evaluation of Operation — Decision Final — Term of Designation

    (a)    (1)    On or before October 1, 2022, the Commission shall issue a request for proposals to designate areas as Health Equity Resource Communities in accordance with this subtitle.         (2)    The Commission:             (i)    Shall consider geographic diversity, among other factors, when designating areas as Health Equity Resource Communities; and             (ii)    May conduct outreach efforts to facilitate a geographically diverse pool […]

Section 20-1406 – Loan Repayment Assistance — Grants for Capital or Leasehold Improvement

    (a)    Health care practitioners and community health workers that practice in a Health Equity Resource Community may receive loan repayment assistance, as provided for in the application for designation for the Health Equity Resource Community and approved by the Commission under this subtitle.     (b)    (1)    A health care practitioner or community health worker may apply to the Commission […]

Section 20-1407 – Health Equity Resource Community Reserve Fund — Purpose — Administration — Funding — Investments — Money Supplemental

    (a)    There is a Health Equity Resource Community Reserve Fund.     (b)    The purpose of the Fund is to:         (1)    Support areas designated by the Commission as Health Equity Resource Communities by providing grants to community–based organizations, nonprofit hospitals, institutions of higher education, federally qualified health centers, local government agencies, health care practitioners, and community health workers to facilitate […]

Section 20-1408 – Report Submitted by Successful Applicant — Annual Report

    (a)    (1)    Each nonprofit community–based organization, nonprofit hospital, institution of higher education, federally qualified health center, or local government agency that has submitted a successful application for designation of an area as a Health Equity Resource Community under § 20–1403 of this subtitle shall submit to the Commission a report that includes:             (i)    A description of progress made […]