Have you heard? There is a lot going on at the State Capital in Annapolis. Governor Martin O'Malley has:

• Released his budget proposal
• Made public his proposal to expand access to health care to the state's uninsured
• Called the General Assembly into special session to address Maryland's budget deficit

The special session starts Monday, October 29th, and there is reason to be optimistic that both the House and Senate will pass the $1 per pack tobacco tax. It also seems possible that the legislature will expand Medicaid coverage to 116% of the federal poverty level. These are both proposals that the Coalition has advocated for. Please see the letter we have sent to all Maryland legislators and the Governor's proposed bill, "Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act.

Become a Health Care Reformer - Now is the time for you to become active.

Action 1: Please Send an Urgent Email to Your Legislators

You can find their contact information at http://www.mdelect.net. Let them know that:

Medicaid Expansion must be passed

• Maryland ranks among the lowest in the nation in Medicaid eligibility for low income adults. In the richest state in the nation, this is shameful.
• The governor's proposal will expand Medicaid eligibility to parents from 40% up to 116% of the federal poverty level in the first year and childless adults in the second and third years
• Covering low income parents will also increase the participation of eligible but uninsured kids. Studies show that extending Medicaid to parents generates a 14% increase in the enrollment of their children.

The tobacco tax increase must be included in the budget package

• A dollar a pack increase in cigarettes will raise $200 million the first year
• Medicaid expansion will bring in a 50% match in federal dollars, stretching the tobacco tax revenues to cover more low income adults and children
• Maryland should consider a "nickel a drink" increase in the alcohol tax to pay for continued health care expansions. Maryland's alcohol tax is currently the second lowest in the nation. A "nickel a drink" would raise an additional $100 million.

And, let us know when you have sent your message by contacting us.

Action 2: Come to Annapolis with Us!

On November 1st there will be two important public events:

• At 10 am there will be a hearing on the tobacco tax in the Joint Committee Hearing Room of the Legislative Services Building on Lawyers' Mall
• At 1 pm the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on health care expansion in the Miller Senate Office Building, 3 East

On November 6th the Alliance for Tax Fairness will hold a Statewide Town Hall Meeting at 6 pm at the Annapolis Elementary School, 180 Green Street, Annapolis, where you can vote your views on solving the budget deficit.

Action 3: Stay in Touch

• Visit our website - www.md healthcarereform.org - for current information
• Contact us with any questions you have and with information on events, etc.

Action 4: Join Us

• If you are not a member now please join
• Ask your friends to join
• Become a member of one of the Coalition's advocacy teams and join others in taking your personal message to Annapolis. To learn more contact us.