PROPOSAL
Maryland Register
Issue Date: February 1, 2019
Volume 46 • Issue 3 • Page 111
Title 10
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Subtitle 06 DISEASES
10.06.02 Communicable Diseases — Rabies
Authority: Health-General Article, §§18-102, 18-313, and 18-317, Annotated Code of Maryland
Notice of Proposed Action
[19-044-P]
The Secretary of Health proposes to amend Regulation .03 under COMAR 10.06.02 Communicable Diseases—Rabies.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this action is to update COMAR 10.06.02.03 to include language describing how the Department will ensure that no person is denied rabies postexposure treatment due to the inability to pay.
Comparison to Federal Standards
There is no corresponding federal standard to this proposed action.
Estimate of Economic Impact
The proposed action has no economic impact.
Economic Impact on Small Businesses
The proposed action has minimal or no economic impact on small businesses.
Impact on Individuals with Disabilities
The proposed action has no impact on individuals with disabilities.
Opportunity for Public Comment
Comments may be sent to Jake Whitaker, Acting Director, Office of Regulation and Policy Coordination, Maryland Department of Health, 201 West Preston Street, Room 512, Baltimore, MD 21201, or call 410-767-6499 (TTY 800-735-2258), or email to mdh.regs@maryland.gov, or fax to 410-767-6483. Comments will be accepted through March 4, 2019. A public hearing has not been scheduled.
.03 Human Rabies.
A.—C. (text unchanged)
D. Treatment; Postexposure.
(1)—(2) (text unchanged)
(3) The Department shall [provide postexposure treatment, under the guidelines issued by the Public Health Veterinarian and the State Epidemiologist, free of charge to any person who is unable to pay for treatment] ensure no one is denied rabies postexposure treatment due to the inability to pay when the treatment is provided in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Public Health Veterinarian and the State Epidemiologist and recommended by a licensed health care provider.
(4) The local health officer [shall make the final determination on an individual’s ability to pay for treatment based on the ability-to-pay schedule of the Department] of the jurisdiction where the resident resides shall ensure access to rabies postexposure treatment provided in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Public Health Veterinarian and the State Epidemiologist.
(5) [The local health officer of the county which provides treatment is responsible for making a reasonable effort to obtain monies to pay for treatment through available resources] When rabies postexposure treatment is provided in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Public Health Veterinarian and the State Epidemiologist, the Department shall pay the charge of the rabies biologics for persons unable to pay for them:
(a) Based on the current ability-to-pay schedule of the Department; and
(b) Only after all available benefits and discounts are applied.
ROBERT NEALL
Secretary of Health