(a)    In adopting this subtitle, the General Assembly intends to:

(1)    Provide alternative methods for the delivery of health care services to residents of this State, with a view toward achieving greater efficiency and economy in providing these services;

(2)    Encourage the formation of health maintenance organizations that provide health care services to subscribers or groups of subscribers who contract for these services under a system of prepayments; and

(3)    Encourage the formation of health maintenance organizations by such diverse groups as:

(i)    Nonprofit health service plans;

(ii)    Medical health service plans;

(iii)    Medical care foundations;

(iv)    Groups of professionals, either in the form of partnerships or professional corporations;

(v)    Consumer sponsored organizations; or

(vi)    Business or legal entities.

(b)    To carry out the intent of subsection (a) of this section, the policy of this State is to:

(1)    Provide one overall State law that:

(i)    Regulates health maintenance organizations;

(ii)    Allows flexibility for the many forms these health maintenance organizations may take; and

(iii)    Facilitates public understanding and uniform administration of the rules and regulations that are adopted under this subtitle;

(2)    Eliminate legal barriers to the organization, promotion, and expansion of health maintenance organizations;

(3)    Provide for regulation of:

(i)    The quality of health care, by the Department and by professional standards review organizations where appropriate; and

(ii)    All other matters covered under this subtitle, by the Commissioner; and

(4)    Exempt health maintenance organizations from the insurance laws of this State, except as set forth in this subtitle.