Because it is essential that the citizens of the Commonwealth be protected against unduly large hospital and medical bills, the 1972 Session of the General Assembly extended the life of the Commission to Study the Costs and Administration of Health Care Services. The scope and complexity of fiscal inquiry into health care resulted in the General Assembly approving Senate Joint Resolution No. 16.

Pursuant to the terms of the study directive, the present members of the Commission established by Senate Joint Resolution No. 20 at the nineteen hundred seventy-one special session of the General Assembly continued as members of the Commission. The members appointed by the Governor to serve on the Commission were E. Leo Burton, Roanoke; Robert Carter, Richmond; and Frank A. Schwalenberg, Newport News. The President of the Senate appointed Senators Adelard L. Brault, Fairfax; Henry E. Howell, Jr., Norfolk; and Edward E. Willey, Richmond. Senator Howell was elected Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth during the course of the study and consequently participated no longer in the deliberations of the Commission. Senator John C. Buchanan, Wise, was appointed to serve the Commission and fill the vacancy. The Speaker of the House of Delegates appointed Delegates Junie L. Bradshaw, Richmond; Donald A. McGlothlin, Sr., Grundy; and Richard J. Ryder, Annandale. Mr. Bradshaw was elected to the State Corporation Commission and Mr. Ryder did not return to the House of Delegates during the course of the study and consequently both participated no longer in the deliberations of the Commission. The Speaker appointed Delegates George Mason Green, Jr., Arlington, and William P. Robinson, Sr., Norfolk, to fill the vacancies. The Commissioner of Insurance, Mr. Everette S. Francis, served as a member ex officio to the Commission.

Senator Edward E. Willey was elected to serve as Chairman of the Commission.