Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 910: Health Insurance - Graduate-Level Clinical Interns - Required Reimbursement

SB 910 requires Maryland health insurers to reimburse patients for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns in counseling, social work, and psychology, under specific conditions. This affects insured individuals who receive these services and insurers who must cover them. Key conditions include services being provided at outpatient facilities, interns being enrolled in accredited graduate programs, working under direct supervision of a licensed professional, and billed by the supervising provider. The bill amends existing insurance codes (Sections 15-704, 15-707, and 15-714) to add these reimbursement requirements for each profession’s interns.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer reimbursement for mental health intern services, expanding coverage and improving access to counseling/psychology care under supervision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1094: Health Insurance - Graduate-Level Clinical Interns - Required Reimbursement

HB 1094 requires Maryland health insurers to reimburse individuals for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns in counseling, social work, and psychology under specific conditions. It applies to insureds covered by policies meeting Maryland’s jurisdictional requirements (e.g., issued in-state or covering Maryland residents). Reimbursement is mandated only when interns work under direct supervision of licensed professionals at outpatient facilities and services are billed by the supervising clinician. The bill amends existing insurance codes to ensure coverage for these supervised intern services, directly affecting insurers, interns, and patients seeking mental health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer reimbursement for mental health intern services, expanding coverage and access to counseling/social work care under supervision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1002: Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

HB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents involuntary discharges/transfers without facility confirmation and Medicaid eligibility protections, strengthening patient rights and access in healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 493: Nursing Facilities - Involuntary Discharge or Transfer

SB 493 prohibits nursing facilities in Maryland from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents except for specific reasons like the resident's welfare, health improvement, or facility closure. It requires facilities to provide residents with a clear written notice at least 10 days before any involuntary discharge or transfer, detailing the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings and legal assistance. The bill also bans sending residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility and prevents facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid. These changes aim to protect vulnerable residents by ensuring proper notice, preventing unfair treatment, and requiring confirmation before transfers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits involuntary discharges without 10-day notice and legal assistance access, directly protecting patient rights in nursing facilities, a core healthcare service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 838: State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements

HB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists to directly treat opioid use disorder with PDMP checks, expanding access to medication-assisted treatment and improving patient access to critical healthcare services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 276: State Emergency Medical Services Board - Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program - Revisions

HB 276 revises Maryland's Public Access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program to clarify requirements for entities using AEDs. It establishes a mandatory "AED Coordinator" role to maintain AED functionality and reporting, repeals outdated requirements for regional council AED committees, and exempts law enforcement agencies from needing a certificate for AEDs deployed in patrol vehicles. The bill affects businesses, organizations, and government entities that operate public AEDs, requiring them to maintain written AED plans and coordinate with emergency services. Key changes streamline oversight while ensuring AEDs remain accessible and properly maintained for public use during cardiac emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens public health emergency response by mandating AED coordination, ensuring device functionality, and removing barriers for public access to life-saving equipment in emergencies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 273: Health Insurance – Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment – Effective Dates

This bill modifies when health coverage starts for small business employees enrolling during special periods (like marriage, divorce, birth, or court orders). It allows SHOP Exchanges to let employees choose whether coverage begins the next month or the month after, based on when they submit their plan selection (first half of month = next month start; second half = two months later). This directly affects Maryland small businesses using SHOP Exchange plans and their employees who qualify for these special enrollment events. The change applies specifically to enrollments triggered by court orders, death, or divorce/separation. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows flexible coverage start dates for SHOP employees during qualifying life events, improving access to health insurance without enrollment delays.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 277: Insurance – Third Party Administrators – Enforcement

HB 277 strengthens oversight of third-party administrators (TPAs) in Maryland’s insurance industry. It expands grounds for the Insurance Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a TPA’s registration - including violations of insurance laws - and increases civil penalties for violations from $1,000 per day to a maximum of $10,000 per violation. The bill also requires the Commissioner to consider factors like the seriousness of the violation, the TPA’s history, and harm to plan participants when setting penalties. This directly affects TPAs managing insurance claims and benefits, imposing stricter accountability for compliance with Maryland’s insurance regulations, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens oversight of TPAs to prevent violations harming plan participants, aligning with patient protection in healthcare coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 275: Medicare Supplement Policies - Issuance - Requirements

HB 275 requires Maryland insurance carriers to issue Medicare supplement policies without discrimination based on health status during specific enrollment periods. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries transitioning from Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid), disabled individuals under 65 eligible for Medicare, and those with certain federal special enrollment rights. Key provisions include banning denials or higher premiums due to health conditions during a 63-day window after Medicaid termination or qualifying events, and mandating equal or lower-benefit policy options during birthday renewals starting in 2026. The bill ensures these groups can access coverage without health-based barriers, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans health-based discrimination in Medicare supplement policies, ensuring access for Medicaid beneficiaries and disabled individuals transitioning to Medicare.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 278: Human Services - Department of Aging and Commission on Aging (The Longevity Ready Maryland Act)

HB 278, the "Longevity Ready Maryland Act," requires Maryland's Secretary of Aging to lead implementation of the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan. This plan aims to coordinate state services for older adults by evaluating their needs, assessing existing programs, and fostering cross-sector collaboration across health, housing, employment, and social services. The bill mandates annual reports to the governor and legislature on progress, updates the Commission on Aging's role, and requires a comprehensive statewide plan to be revised every four years. It directly affects older Marylanders, the Department of Aging, local area agencies on aging, and state agencies responsible for aging-related services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill coordinates health services for older adults through the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan, improving access and cross-sector collaboration in healthcare delivery.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare