Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 898: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Behavior Technicians - Reimbursement

SB 898 requires Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program to reimburse applied behavior analysis (ABA) services provided by registered behavior technicians (RBTs) to Medicaid recipients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The bill prohibits the state health department from mandating a specific certification (e.g., from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) as a condition for reimbursement, except for a 150-day transition period during which RBTs must obtain certification. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with autism and RBTs who deliver ABA services under supervision of certified professionals, streamlining access to care without immediate certification barriers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies prospectively only.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid reimbursement for ABA therapy via RBTs, expanding autism treatment access without restrictive certification mandates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 31, 2026

HB 1434: Maryland Department of Health - Caregiver Resource Webpage - Establishment

HB 1434 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a centralized online resource hub for caregivers. The webpage must provide plain-language information and links to support caregivers of children with disabilities, adults with chronic illness or disabilities, and older adults (including those with dementia), covering topics like wellness, financial assistance programs, safety planning, and privacy considerations. The Department must coordinate with agencies like the Department of Education and Department of Aging, update the site annually, and ensure it’s prominently displayed on the Health Department’s website.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes centralized resource hub for caregivers of vulnerable populations, improving access to health-related information and support services per bill's requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

SB 496 would authorize Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment starting January 1, 2027. This includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications for eligible Medicaid recipients. The bill requires the Department of Health to notify program recipients if it chooses to implement this coverage and mandates a report to legislative committees by November 2027 on whether coverage has begun. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, but coverage for obesity treatment becomes available the following year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid coverage requiring state budget allocation for essential healthcare services, aligning with funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment including behavioral therapy and surgery, improving patient access to comprehensive care under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 794: Health Insurance - Special Enrollment Period for Pregnancy - Coverage Effective Date

SB 794 creates a special enrollment period for pregnancy in Maryland health insurance. It allows individuals who become pregnant (confirmed by a healthcare provider) to choose whether their coverage starts on the first day of the month they receive pregnancy confirmation or the first day of the following month. If they don’t select a date, the insurance company must choose one of these two options. This applies to both marketplace and non-marketplace health plans and takes effect January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals and parents enrolling dependents during this 90-day special enrollment period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates flexible health insurance enrollment for pregnancy, improving access to coverage without waiting for next month's start date.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 809: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

This bill requires Maryland's Office of the Comptroller, with assistance from the Department of Human Services, to conduct a feasibility study on creating a program that would provide monthly payments to caregivers of specific family members. The study will examine economic impacts like potential increases in workforce participation, tax revenue, and reduced reliance on public benefits, while also identifying funding sources and administrative costs. It must be completed by July 1, 2027, and reported to relevant legislative committees. The bill does not establish the program itself but sets the groundwork for evaluating its potential. This study directly affects state agencies responsible for conducting the analysis, with no direct impact on caregivers or families until a future decision to implement the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill initiates feasibility study for caregiver payments, aiming to improve healthcare infrastructure access and reduce public benefit reliance, aligning with support indicators like strengthening caregiver support systems.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates feasibility study examining how caregiver payments could increase workforce participation and reduce public benefit reliance, directly addressing labor market impacts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 892: Health Occupations, Public Health, and Insurance - Menopause - Provider Training Coverage Requirements, Policy Initiatives, and Access to Care

SB 892 modifies Maryland's State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness to include a member with expertise in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal care. It requires health occupations boards (like those for nurses or doctors) to grant at least two continuing education credits for every hour of training on these conditions, directly affecting healthcare professionals renewing their licenses. The bill also mandates the Maryland Health Care Commission, Commission for Women, and Department of Health to take specific actions related to these health conditions. These changes aim to improve provider knowledge and care for women experiencing these common health transitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continuing education credits for healthcare professionals on menopausal care, enhancing provider expertise and patient access to specialized treatment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 839: Medical Assistance Programs - Drug Dispensing - Cost-of-Dispensing Survey

SB 839 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct a survey of pharmacy dispensing costs in the state every three years starting in 2026. Within six months after each survey, the Department must establish a fee charged to pharmacies for dispensing drugs under the state's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). This fee will be based directly on the survey results, aiming to reflect actual dispensing costs. The bill applies specifically to pharmacies participating in Maryland's Medicaid program and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures Medicaid pharmacy fees reflect actual dispensing costs, preventing underfunding that could reduce pharmacy participation and access to care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1249: Certified Recovery Residences - Refusing Services to Individuals Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment - Prohibition

HB 1249 prohibits certified recovery residences in Maryland from refusing services to individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder or requiring them to stop or change their MAT as a condition for housing. The bill amends certification standards for recovery residences (which provide non-clinical housing for people with substance use disorders) to ensure credentialing entities cannot allow such discrimination. It directly affects certified recovery residences and individuals using MAT for opioid addiction, requiring certification rules to explicitly ban these practices. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to opioid use disorder treatment under MAT.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination against MAT users in recovery housing, ensuring access to substance use treatment services and protecting patient rights in healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against MAT users in recovery residences, protecting tenant rights and ensuring housing access for vulnerable populations in housing settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 521: Health Insurance - Material Changes to Provider Networks - Notification and Special Enrollment Period

SB 521 requires health insurance companies to notify patients in writing when a primary care provider or behavioral health provider is removed from their network, including the reason for termination and the right to continue seeing that provider for up to 90 days if the removal isn't due to fraud or misconduct. It mandates insurers to provide advance notice (60 days) to Maryland's Insurance Commissioner before terminating provider contracts that materially impact patient access, and to update their access plans within 5 business days after termination. This bill directly affects insured patients who rely on specific providers and health insurance carriers operating in Maryland. The key change is creating a standardized 90-day special enrollment period for affected patients to transition care, improving transparency during network changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to notify patients of provider removal and allow 90-day continuation, improving patient access and protecting rights in health insurance networks.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1364: Public Health - Mammograms - Arterial Calcification Notice

HB 1364 requires mammography centers in Maryland to include a specific notice about breast arterial calcification in patients' screening results letters, starting October 1, 2026. This applies to facilities performing mammography testing (like hospitals, clinics, or radiology practices), excluding federal VA facilities. The notice informs patients that arterial calcification - common but potentially linked to higher cardiovascular risk - should be discussed with their physician to assess heart health needs. It does not change existing federal requirements for breast density notices but adds this new patient awareness element to standard mammogram results.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mammography centers to inform patients about arterial calcification risk, promoting physician discussion on cardiovascular health, enhancing patient awareness within preventive care.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare