(a) (1) The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Of the 15 members:
(i) Nine shall be individuals who do not have any connection with the management or policy of a health care provider or payor; and
(ii) Of the remaining six members:
1. Two shall be physicians;
2. Two shall be payors, as defined in § 19-132 of this subtitle;
3. One shall be a nursing home administrator in the State; and
4. One shall be a nonphysician health care practitioner.
(b) (1) The term of a member is 4 years.
(2) The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 1999.
(3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(5) The Governor may remove a member for neglect of duty, incompetence, or misconduct.
(6) A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
(c) When appointing members to the Commission, the Governor shall:
(1) Assure that:
(i) At least five members are residents of different counties with a population of 300,000 or more; and
(ii) At least three members are residents of different counties with a population of less than 300,000, of which at least:
1. One shall be a resident of the Eastern Shore;
2. One shall be a resident of Allegany County, Garrett County, Washington County, Carroll County, or Frederick County; and
3. One shall be a resident of Southern Maryland; and
(2) To the extent practicable, assure geographic balance and promote racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the Commission's membership.