Scrutiny in the media and among lawmakers in Annapolis has called into question the soundness of governance of our hospitals and health systems. Those pursuing this line of inquiry are not finished. We expect this matter to gain steam again as the 2020 legislative session approaches.

Your Maryland Hospital Association is working to make the case that our hospitals and health systems not only are already subject to many rules on governance practices but that you adhere to high standards. Key to our efforts is a survey your CEOs will receive Monday related to institutional protections against conflicts of interests.

Full participation in the survey by all hospitals and health systems is crucial for our work product to be credible.

The details shared will be kept confidential and secure by the law firm of Epstein Becker Green (EBG) and MHA. Nothing in our report will be attributed either to individual entities or to those who complete the forms.

Building upon a preliminary review MHA commissioned earlier this year, we expect the survey will demonstrate Maryland hospitals’ and systems’ commitment to best governance practices. In the earlier analysis, EBG noted that a proposal for a House of Delegates bill to adopt new restrictions for the governance of all Maryland hospitals would be unnecessary and may have myriad unintended and potentially significant adverse consequences.

We urge you to complete the survey by August 16. In the meantime, your MHA team continues to impress upon policymakers how seriously we all take our responsibility as institutions of public trust.