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 No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 532: Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting

SB 532 requires Maryland public senior colleges (like University System institutions) and community colleges to provide students with access to all over-the-counter contraception methods (such as condoms or emergency contraception) on campus through health centers, retail stores, or vending machines. Starting September 1, 2026, these institutions must submit annual reports to the Maryland Higher Education Commission detailing how access is provided, whether all methods are available, quantities distributed, and student consultation efforts. The Commission then reports this aggregated data to the Maryland General Assembly annually by October 1. The bill applies specifically to community colleges and public senior institutions (excluding specialized units like the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science), effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates campus access to over-the-counter contraception (a health service), improving student access to healthcare without restrictions. Directly advances healthcare access via health centers and reporting requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1470: Medical Assistance Programs - Drug Dispensing - Cost-of-Dispensing Survey

HB 1470 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct an in-state cost-of-dispensing survey for Medicaid drugs at least once every three years, starting in 2026. Within six months after each survey, the Department must set a fee-for-service reimbursement rate for pharmacists dispensing Medicaid-covered drugs based on the survey results. This directly affects pharmacies participating in Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid), as the new fee structure will determine their reimbursement for drug dispensing services. The bill establishes a regular, data-driven process to update these fees, ensuring they reflect actual dispensing costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid drug reimbursement rates based on cost surveys, ensuring pharmacy participation in Medical Assistance Program and supporting patient access to medications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1280: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

HB 1280 directs Maryland's Comptroller to study whether a program providing monthly payments to caregivers for specific family members would be feasible. The study must examine economic impacts like potential job growth, increased tax revenue, and reduced public benefits use, while assessing costs and funding options. It requires collaboration with the Department of Human Services and agencies like the Department of Aging, with a final report due by July 1, 2027. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and does not create the program itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill studies potential tax revenue increases and reduced public benefits use, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators for budget/taxes.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFeasibility study for caregiver payments aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure access through potential program implementation, aligning with support indicators like improved patient access and caregiver support.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill studies caregiver payments program to assess economic benefits including job growth and reduced public benefits, aligning with expanding worker benefits in labor policy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1365: Health Occupations, Public Health, and Insurance - Menopause - Provider Training Coverage Requirements, Policy Initiatives, and Access to Care

HB 1365 requires healthcare providers (like doctors and nurses) to complete menopause-specific training to earn continuing education credits, with licensing boards mandated to grant double credit (2 hours for every 1 hour of training). It also requires insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover the evaluation and management of menopause and related symptoms. The law applies to all relevant providers and insurers in Maryland, effective January 1, 2027. The Department must identify a standardized training program after consulting with professional associations like The Menopause Society.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for menopause evaluation/management and requires provider training, expanding access to care and improving health services standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1076: Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting

HB 1076 requires all public senior higher education institutions (like University System of Maryland schools) and community colleges in Maryland to annually report on student access to over-the-counter contraception to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Community colleges must provide students with access to all FDA-approved over-the-counter contraception methods through campus health centers, retail locations, vending machines, or other accessible campus channels. Institutions must submit reports detailing access methods, availability, and student consultation, with the Commission then reporting aggregated data to the General Assembly each year. This bill directly affects campus health services and student access at public colleges, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates campus access to contraception via health centers, expanding student healthcare access to reproductive services, aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1540: University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center - Funding - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 1540 repeals the 2028 termination date for annual state funding required for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. The bill ensures the state will continue appropriating $10 million each fiscal year (previously set to end in 2028) to support the center's operations and transition. This directly affects the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation and Prince George's County, which must provide matching funds totaling $208 million for capital construction. The funding is specifically designated to maintain the medical center's financial viability, improve healthcare access, and prevent operating losses. The change removes the fixed end date, making the funding permanent unless future legislation alters it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding, ensuring continued budget allocation for medical center operations and transition.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals 2028 termination date for $10M annual state funding to support medical center operations and transition, directly advancing healthcare funding for a public medical institution.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 746: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Collaborative Care Model - Cost Sharing Prohibition and Coverage Requirements

HB 746 prohibits Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance Program) and private health insurers from charging copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for services delivered under the Collaborative Care Model. This model integrates mental/behavioral health services into primary care through coordinated care, regular outcome monitoring, and specialist consultations. The law applies to all Medicaid recipients and covers services under private health insurance plans (including nonprofit health plans and health maintenance organizations) issued in Maryland, with an exception for high-deductible health plans. It takes effect January 1, 2027, ensuring no cost-sharing for these integrated care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits cost-sharing for integrated mental health services under Collaborative Care Model, improving access to behavioral health within primary care for Medicaid and private insurance holders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare