Public Health - Women's Health Care Data - Report

SB 965 requires Maryland's Department of Health to annually collect and compile anonymized cost data for birth (including complications and neonatal care), postpartum care (including mental health), pregnancy care, and abortion services from hospitals and healthcare providers. This data must be reported publicly by December 1 each year starting in 2025, including regional comparisons, cost trends, and recommendations for improving efficiency. The bill applies directly to licensed healthcare facilities and providers offering these services, while mandating strict privacy safeguards to comply with federal and state laws. The goal is to inform policy decisions about maternal and reproductive healthcare costs without including any personally identifiable information.