DHMH Overview

Mission

The mission of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is to protect, promote and improve the health and well being of all Maryland citizens in a fiscally responsible way.

Vision

Leading the Way to a Healthy Maryland in the New Millennium

Principles of the Maryland Health
Care Delivery System

The Health care delivery system in Maryland consists of public and private hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, home health care services, hospices, providers (such as physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) health educators, other health professionals, and many others.  The principles that provide the framework for this system are described below.

• Assure every citizen of Maryland financial and clinical access to health care

• Provide services at a reasonable cost

• Maintain the high quality of Maryland's health care system

• Improve the health status of individuals, emphasis on prevention and early intervention services

• Assure public accountability through use of reporting criteria, such as health status, outcomes, and financial reports

• Promote sharing of public responsibility costs equitably

• Assure long-term financial accountability

Service to All Citizens of Maryland

The mission of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene touches the life of every citizen of Maryland.  The Department is responsible for seeing that each of us can live a life free from the threat of communicable diseases, tainted foods, and dangerous products.  The Department also regulates health care providers, facilities, and organizations.  In addition, it manages direct services to patients where appropriate.

Regulating Quality Access, and Cost

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is responsible for assuring that the people of Maryland have appropriate access to high quality health care at a reasonable cost to individuals, to employers, and to taxpayers.  In order to fulfill this responsibility, a number of programs regulate health care providers and community services.  Nineteen health occupational boards license health care professionals and investigate complaints.  In addition, health care facilities and community services are inspected and monitored through the Office of Health Care Quality.

Vital Records

The Division of Vital Records registers and indexes birth, death, marriage, divorce, adoption, and legitimization records.   Requests for copies of individual records may be made in writing or in person.