Legislation > Current Bills We Support

Current Bills We Support

In the 2012 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the Coalition will focus on legislation that advances the full and successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as other bills that support our mission to ensure that every Maryland resident has access to high-quality, affordable and comprehensive health care.  Below is a list of the legislation we are working on.  This information will be updated as legislation proceeds through the hearing process. 

  • Learn more about the Coalition’s process for prioritizing legislation.
  • Learn when hearings are being held, whose sponsoring the legislation, and more. 

Priority 1 – These bills, which directly address major reforms to improve access to health care, are the primary focus of the Coalition’s work in the 2012 Maryland General Assembly.   Other legislation may be added to this list during the course of the session.  

  • Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012 (SB238/HB443) - Requiring the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to make specified qualified dental plans available to specified individuals and employers; requiring the Exchange to establish and implement specified navigator programs on or before January 1, 2014; establishing qualifications for specified navigators; etc.
  • Maryland Health Improvement and Disparities Reduction Act of 2012 (SB234/HB439) - This legislation establishes a process to create specified areas as Health Enterprise Zones that can, in the longer term, support the State’s goal of creating health equity.
  • Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Independent Foster Care Adolescents – Age of Eligibility (HB103) - This legislation builds upon the Foster Care Act of 2009, which the Coalition supported and aligns it with related provisions in the federal Affordable Care Act.
  • Appropriations for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - The Coalition is tracking the Appropriations process for the Exchange.
    • Read our House Appropriations Committee testimony.
    • Read our Senate Budget and Taxation Committee testimony.
  • Health Insurance - Health Benefit Plan Premium Rate Review (SB456/HB465) - This legislation prohibits a carrier that issues or delivers a health benefit plan in the State from charging a premium or changing a premium before the applicable premium rate or premium rate change is filed with and approved by the Insurance Commissioner.

Priority 2 – These bills generally represent more incremental reform steps.  The Coalition, based upon research and resources may provide written testimony or support through its member organizations.

  • Health Insurance - Individual and Group Coverage - Application of Federal Affordable Care Act (SB220) - This legislation provides that specified provisions of the federal ACA regarding preventive services apply to individual health insurance coverage and health insurance coverage offered in the small group and large group markets issued or delivered in the State by an authorized insurer, nonprofit health service plan, or health maintenance organizations.
  • Tobacco Tax – Healthy Maryland Initiative (SB526) - This legislation would increase the tobacco tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products; providing that the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program shall receive funding from the Other Tobacco Products Tax Fund under specified circumstances and require that the money from the Fund be used to supplement appropriations to the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program and to fund other health initiatives.

Since 2006, the Coalition has played an important role in several legislative victories.  Check out our Advocacy Report: The Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2011, which summarizes last year's legislative victories.