Healthcare (People with Disabilities)

HB 1445, the "Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act," changes eligibility rules for home- and community-based services under Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). It requires the state to continue services uninterrupted during appeals if an individual loses eligibility, prohibits automatic termination solely due to administrative errors (procedural disenrollment), and mandates data sharing between providers and the Department of Health. The bill directly affects people receiving Developmental Disabilities Administration services and Medicaid beneficiaries who risk losing community-based care due to eligibility disputes. Key provisions include extending appeal timelines (replacing 90-day deadlines with continuous service until appeal resolution) and requiring the state to reserve waiver slots for those who lost eligibility unfairly. These changes aim to align with the Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court ruling protecting community integration rights.

SB 742, the "Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act," modifies Maryland’s Medicaid eligibility processes to better protect individuals with disabilities who receive home- and community-based services. It extends the appeal timeframe for those losing eligibility and requires services to continue uninterrupted during appeals, preventing administrative errors from causing abrupt service loss. The bill prohibits "procedural disenrollment" (terminating coverage due to renewal process issues) and mandates the Department of Health to reserve waiver slots for people who lost eligibility unfairly. These changes align with the Olmstead decision, ensuring individuals can remain in community settings without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers. The bill directly affects Maryland Medicaid recipients with disabilities who rely on home- and community-based services.