Rep. Heather Bagnall Tudball

Maddy summaryHB 1151 requires the Maryland Department of Health to study whether reimbursing hospice houses for room and board services under the state's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) would save costs and improve patient outcomes. The study must quantify Medicaid savings per death from hospice care and analyze how reimbursement might reduce hospital deaths, emergency room visits, hospice readmissions, and increase hospice care duration. It specifically examines the impact of covering room and board expenses for hospice providers, as defined by existing regulations. The Department must submit findings to state legislative committees by September 30, 2026. This is a procedural study with no immediate policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 requires health insurers and dental plan organizations to directly reimburse dentists not in their network (nonpreferred dentists) when a patient assigns their insurance benefits to the dentist, and prohibits them from blocking such assignments. It also mandates that nonpreferred dentists inform patients about their non-network status, potential out-of-pocket costs, and payment terms before providing care, and submit a disclosure form to the insurer for the assignment. Insurers may still refuse direct payment only in specific cases, such as if the assignment was received too late, an error occurred, the patient withdrew the assignment, or the patient paid the dentist at the time of service. The bill directly affects non-network dentists, their patients, and insurance companies covering dental services.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 updates Maryland's Commission for Women by changing how its executive director is appointed and clarifying the Commission's responsibilities. It removes the Secretary of Human Services' authority to appoint the director, stating the director will be a regular state employee (not a "special appointee") and receive standard state compensation. The bill revises the Commission's duties to focus on conducting studies, supporting programs, and advocating for policies that promote equality for women, including career development, violence prevention, and economic opportunities. These changes directly affect the Commission's operations and its executive director, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 866 requires Maryland's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to hire at least three specialized case managers who directly assist deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing residents. The bill amends existing law to mandate these positions, ensuring the office provides dedicated case management services to help individuals navigate support systems. It specifies that these case managers must focus on the unique needs of the three target populations, including coordination with state agencies and emergency services. This policy change formally expands the office's service capacity under Section 9-2403(b)(15) of Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 945 requires Maryland's Department of Health to immediately notify and coordinate with the local health department whenever investigating a nursing home complaint alleging actual harm. This affects the Department, local health departments, and nursing homes directly. The key provision mandates that the Department must contact the local health department right away and collaborate with them during the investigation, particularly for complaints involving actual harm (not routine issues). The bill amends existing law to formalize this notification and consultation process during investigations.