Section 19-2112 - Pathways to Health Equity Program(a)(1) The Commission shall establish a Pathways to Health Equity Program.(2)(i) The purpose of the Program is to provide the foundation and guidance for a permanent Health Equity Resource Community program under Title 20, Subtitle 14 of this article.(ii) CRISP shall provide technical assistance to the Commission by maintaining a data set and supporting program evaluation for the Program.(3)(i) The Program shall provide grant funding to reduce health disparities, improve health outcomes, improve access to primary care, promote primary and secondary prevention services, and reduce health care costs and hospital admissions and readmissions.(ii) The Commission shall issue a request for proposals for applicants with proposals for programs that: 1. Address the criteria listed under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and2. Demonstrate how the proposed program could be self-sustainable as a Health Equity Resource Community under Title 20, Subtitle 14 of this article.(iii) The Commission shall establish the criteria to qualify for grant funding under this subsection.(iv) Grants awarded through the Program shall be for 2 years.(v) The Commission shall give special consideration to proposals from areas previously designated as a Health Enterprise Zone.(4) One additional staff shall be added to the Commission to provide staff support for the Program.(5)(i) On or before December 1, 2021, the Commission shall issue an interim report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the grants awarded under paragraph (3) of this subsection, including:1. A list and summary of the grants awarded;2. An overview of key interventions in the grants awarded;3. Specific health disparities that will be addressed by the grants; and4. Key measures to evaluate the impact of each grant.(ii) On or before January 1, 2023, the Commission shall issue a final report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on: 1. The grants awarded under paragraph (3) of this subsection, including a description of the grantee's program and any data related to cost savings achieved under the program;2. Options to develop, sustain, and establish a permanent Health Equity Resource Community program in the Department;3. Cost-effective ways to measure the impact of a Health Equity Resource Community;4. Workforce and recruitment strategies to be used by a Health Equity Resource Community; and5. Any recommendations, including legislative recommendations, related to Health Equity Resource Communities established under Title 20, Subtitle 14 of this article.(b)(1) There is a Pathways to Health Equity Fund in the Commission.(2) The purpose of the Fund is to implement the requirements of subsection (a) of this section through grant funding and staff support.(3) The Commission shall administer the Fund.(4)(i) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.(ii) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.(5) The Fund consists of: (i) The $14,000,000 authorized for the Commission under Chapter 39 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021; and(ii) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.(6) The Fund shall be subject to an audit by the Office of Legislative Audits as provided for in § 2-1220 of the State Government Article.(7) The Fund may be used only to implement the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and to evaluate the impact of grants awarded under the Program.(8)(i) Money expended from the Fund to implement the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and to evaluate the impact of grants awarded under the Program is not intended to supplant funding that is appropriated to the Commission in accordance with § 14-106(d)(2)(ii) of the Insurance Article and deposited in the Community Health Resources Commission Fund for the purposes set forth under § 19-2201 of this title.(ii) The Fund may not be commingled or combined with the Community Health Resources Commission Fund.Added by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 742,Sec. 1, eff. 5/30/2021.Added by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 741,Sec. 1, eff. 5/30/2021.