Maryland Department of Health - AHEAD Model Implementation - Electronic Health Care Transactions and Population Health Improvement Fund

HB 1104 creates a new "Population Health Improvement Fund" to support Maryland’s participation in the federal AHEAD Model, which aims to reduce health disparities through all-payer approaches. The fund, financed by a hospital assessment and interest earnings, will invest in statewide health equity initiatives aligned with AHEAD’s goals. The bill also clarifies that electronic health data (like claims information) can be used to support Maryland’s AHEAD Model participation, while prohibiting restrictions on using this data for public health purposes under the model. Hospitals will contribute to the fund through a uniform assessment, and the Department of Health and Health Services Cost Review Commission will jointly manage it. The fund is designed to be permanent (nonlapsing) and specifically targets statewide population health improvement efforts.