Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 808: Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Requirements

SB 808 amends Maryland's health insurance laws to change how health insurance carriers manage provider panels. It eliminates application fees carriers can charge providers, requires carriers to send specific notices to providers within set timeframes, and mandates more frequent updates to provider directories. The bill also expands the types of providers carriers cannot restrict on panels and updates rules for multi-carrier online directory systems. These changes directly affect health insurance carriers and healthcare providers seeking to join insurance networks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates provider application fees, mandates timely notices/directory updates, and expands non-restricted provider types - improving access and transparency in health insurance coverage.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1093: Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Requirements

HB 1093 requires health insurance companies (carriers) to change how they manage provider panels. It removes application fees for providers seeking panel inclusion, mandates specific notice timelines for denials, and requires carriers to update provider directories more frequently. The bill also expands the types of providers carriers cannot restrict (like mental health specialists) and changes rules for reimbursing patients for care from nonparticipating providers. These changes directly affect health insurance companies, doctors/hospitals seeking panel access, and patients navigating provider networks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves provider application fees, expands mental health specialist access, mandates timely denials and updated directories, improving patient access to care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 891: Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

SB 891 requires health insurance companies in Maryland to provide pregnant individuals and those up to one year postpartum with a standing referral to a mental health provider without needing a new authorization each time. It also mandates coverage for perinatal mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum, and directs the Maryland Department of Health to create a screening program. Additionally, the bill requires health professionals renewing licenses to complete continuing education on perinatal mental health conditions. These provisions directly affect insurers, pregnant/postpartum individuals, mental health providers, and health license holders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for perinatal mental health screenings and standing referrals, improving access to mental health services for pregnant/postpartum individuals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1118: Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

HB 1118 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to provide a standing referral to a mental health care provider for pregnant individuals and for one year after childbirth, without needing a written treatment plan. It mandates that insurers cover screening for perinatal mental health conditions (like postpartum depression) during prenatal visits and other specified times. The bill also directs the Maryland Department of Health to establish a perinatal mental health screening program and requires health care professionals renewing licenses to complete continuing education on perinatal mental health conditions. These changes aim to improve access to mental health support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage of perinatal mental health screenings and standing referrals without barriers, expanding access to critical mental health services for pregnant/postpartum individuals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 882: Consumer Health Information - Termination Date and Mandatory Funding for the State's Consumer Health Information Hub - Repeal

HB 882 repeals the requirement that the Governor must include a mandatory $350,000 annual appropriation for the State's Consumer Health Information Hub in the budget. It also removes the automatic expiration date (June 30, 2026) for the Hub's funding provisions. The bill changes the Hub's mandate to carry out its duties "to the extent funding is available," meaning its operations now depend on annual budget decisions rather than guaranteed funding. This directly affects the Hub - designated as the University of Maryland Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy - by eliminating its guaranteed funding stream and making its services subject to yearly budget approvals.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals mandatory $350k annual funding, making Hub operations dependent on annual budget approval instead of guaranteed support. Defunds essential program by removing automatic appropriation.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals mandatory $350k annual funding, making Hub operations dependent on annual budget approvals rather than guaranteed support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 238: School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact

SB 238 establishes Maryland's participation in the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, allowing licensed school psychologists to practice across member states without duplicative licensing. The bill creates a standardized pathway for psychologists to hold "equivalent licenses" in any participating state, directly affecting school psychologists seeking cross-state work and school districts needing qualified staff. Key provisions include requiring psychologists to follow each state's scope of practice laws, preserving state authority over licensing, and specifically facilitating mobility for military families. The compact also establishes a Commission to oversee implementation and address issues like disciplinary actions. This is a substantive policy change enabling easier interstate practice while maintaining state-level professional standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables cross-state practice for school psychologists, strengthening staff availability and mental health support in K-12 schools without duplicative licensing barriers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables cross-state practice for school psychologists, improving mental health service access in schools by removing licensing barriers, aligning with support for mental health services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 276: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Coverage for Orthoses and Prostheses (So Every Body Can Move Act)

SB 276, the "So Every Body Can Move Act," requires Maryland’s Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs to cover orthoses (custom braces or supports for musculoskeletal conditions) starting January 1, 2027. It mandates coverage for the devices themselves, components, repairs, and replacements without lifetime limits if a treating provider deems them medically necessary for daily living or work activities. Insurers must follow Medicare’s medical necessity standards and cannot impose higher copays or separate annual dollar limits for this coverage. The bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees and private insurance plan members needing orthotic devices, ensuring broader access to these essential medical supports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid and insurers to cover orthoses/prostheses without lifetime limits, expanding access to essential medical devices for daily living and work activities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 445: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Coverage for Orthoses and Prostheses (So Every Body Can Move Act)

HB 445, the "So Every Body Can Move Act," requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) and private health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs to cover orthoses (supportive devices like braces) starting January 1, 2027. It mandates annual coverage for orthoses, including repairs, replacements, and components, without lifetime dollar limits or higher copays than other medical benefits. The bill clarifies that coverage must include all orthoses deemed medically necessary by a provider for daily living or essential job activities. It directly affects Maryland residents enrolled in Medicaid or private health plans covering hospital/medical benefits, ensuring access to these devices without restrictive lifetime limits or unnecessary barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid and private insurers to cover orthoses without lifetime limits or higher copays, expanding access to medically necessary devices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 546: Primary and Secondary Education - Educator Professional Development - Course on Well-Being and Flourishing

HB 546 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to provide a free, mandatory professional development course on educator well-being and flourishing to all school personnel and administrators by July 1, 2027. The course must cover eight key areas of well-being identified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including social connections, physical health, emotional resilience, and financial literacy. Schools may use synchronous or asynchronous instruction, and the department can develop the course itself or adapt existing third-party materials. The bill ensures this course is offered at the same rate as other required professional development courses for licensed educators.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandatory free professional development for educators on well-being directly supports teacher welfare and school staff effectiveness per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates course covering SAMHSA well-being areas including mental health, emotional resilience, and physical health, directly supporting mental health services for educators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 379: Recovery Residence Grant Program - Funding

This bill ensures Maryland's Recovery Residence Grant Program receives $500,000 annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2030 by requiring this funding be included in the state's annual budget. It directly supports recovery residences (such as sober living facilities) that provide housing and support services for people in addiction recovery. The law updates existing funding rules to extend the annual budget requirement through 2030, preventing potential funding gaps. This creates a stable funding mechanism for these community-based recovery programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual $500k state budget allocation for recovery residences, ensuring stable funding for essential addiction support services through 2030.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds recovery residences for addiction rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds addiction recovery residences (mental health support) via mandatory annual $500k budget allocation, preventing funding gaps for critical healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds recovery residences (sober living housing) for addiction recovery, directly supporting affordable housing initiatives via annual budget allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare