This chapter governs exemptions from the prohibition on self-referral made by the Secretary in conjunction with the Maryland Health Care Commission. This chapter creates the means by which the Secretary and the Maryland Health Care Commission can determine whether: A health care practitioner's beneficial interest is essential to finance and to provide a health care entity; and The health care entity is needed to ensure appropriate access for a community to the services provided by the health care entity. This chapter interprets certain definitions and terms used in the statute for the purpose of enforcement by the licensing boards of the Maryland Department of Health.