Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 272: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

SB 272 requires health insurance plans that cover chemotherapy for cancer treatment to also cover scalp cooling systems. These systems are devices designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cooling the scalp. The law applies to insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations offering such coverage in Maryland. It takes effect for all policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling during chemo, expanding patient access to quality-of-life treatment beyond standard chemotherapy coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 393: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

HB 393 requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations in Maryland to cover scalp cooling systems when they provide coverage for chemotherapy treatments for cancer. This applies directly to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who use scalp cooling to prevent hair loss, and to the insurers that must now include this coverage. The bill defines scalp cooling systems as medical devices designed for repeated use to preserve hair during cancer treatment. Coverage must be provided for these systems as part of chemotherapy treatment plans, effective January 1, 2027. The law amends Maryland’s Insurance Article (Section 15-864) to mandate this coverage for qualifying health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover scalp cooling for chemo patients, expanding access to cancer treatment side effect management and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 385: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

SB 385 (The Vax Act) requires Maryland’s Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services, aligning with guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It expands pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines (including those recommended by CDC or the Secretary) to patients aged 3+ after completing specific training and certification, while mandating health insurers to cover these services without cost-sharing. The bill also repeals outdated pertussis-related provisions and updates reporting requirements for pharmacists. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and patients seeking preventive care, aiming to improve access to vaccinations and screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for preventive services and expands pharmacist vaccine administration, increasing access and coverage - clear support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 333: Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact

SB 333 creates the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact, allowing podiatrists (foot and ankle specialists) licensed in Maryland to practice in other participating states more easily. The bill establishes a streamlined process for obtaining an "expedited license" in multiple states without altering existing state licensing laws, requiring podiatrists to pass national exams and pass background checks. Crucially, it mandates that podiatrists follow the rules of the state where the patient is located during treatment, not where the provider is licensed. This compact directly affects licensed podiatrists seeking multi-state practice and state licensing boards overseeing medical practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines podiatrist licensure across states, improving access to specialized foot/ankle care without altering state laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 442: Professional Liability Insurance Coverage - Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Nurse Midwives, and Licensed Certified Midwives - Disclosure (Nyeli Rose Lewis Act of 2026)

HB 442 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives in Maryland to disclose their professional liability insurance status to residents and potential residents. Specifically, these providers must provide written notice (including electronic communication) if they lack coverage or if coverage has lapsed and not been renewed, with timing requirements: at the first visit for potential residents or at application for admission, and within 30 days of a lapse for current residents. The bill also mandates that facilities without coverage post a conspicuous notice for residents and guests. This law does not change insurance requirements but ensures transparency about coverage gaps. It directly affects residents and potential residents of these care facilities by providing clear, timely disclosure of insurance status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of insurance status to protect residents' rights regarding provider coverage, aligning with patient protection indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 293: Professional Liability Insurance Coverage - Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Nurse Midwives, and Licensed Certified Midwives - Disclosure (Nyeli Rose Lewis Act of 2026)

SB 293 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives to notify residents and prospective residents in writing if they lack professional liability insurance or if coverage has lapsed without renewal. For prospective residents, notification must occur at the first visit during a coverage gap or at the time of application; current residents must be notified within 30 days of a lapse. Facilities without coverage must also post a conspicuous notice visible to residents and guests. This law aims to increase transparency about insurance coverage for individuals receiving care in these settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of insurance gaps to protect residents' rights and safety in healthcare facilities, aligning with patient protection indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 637: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

HB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist vaccine administration to ages 3+, mandates insurance coverage for preventive services, and requires science-based public health recommendations, improving access and strengthening preventive healthcare.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 444: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

SB 444 repeals an exemption that previously allowed intermediate care facilities offering substance use disorder treatment to change bed capacity without a certificate of need. It creates a new exemption for facilities providing *medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services*, removing the requirement for a certificate of need if they submit 45 days' written notice to the Commission and the Commission determines the change aligns with the state health plan, improves service efficiency, and serves the public interest. This bill directly affects intermediate care facilities focused on substance use disorder treatment by reducing regulatory barriers for expanding bed capacity or establishing new facilities. The key mechanism is replacing a certificate of need with a streamlined notice-and-review process administered by the Commission. (SB 444, "Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities," 2026)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves CON requirement for substance use disorder treatment facilities, improving access to mental health services by streamlining expansion processes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1445: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration - Home- and Community-Based Services Eligibility Determinations (Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act)

HB 1445, the "Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act," changes eligibility rules for home- and community-based services under Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). It requires the state to continue services uninterrupted during appeals if an individual loses eligibility, prohibits automatic termination solely due to administrative errors (procedural disenrollment), and mandates data sharing between providers and the Department of Health. The bill directly affects people receiving Developmental Disabilities Administration services and Medicaid beneficiaries who risk losing community-based care due to eligibility disputes. Key provisions include extending appeal timelines (replacing 90-day deadlines with continuous service until appeal resolution) and requiring the state to reserve waiver slots for those who lost eligibility unfairly. These changes aim to align with the Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court ruling protecting community integration rights.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents administrative termination of Medicaid services during appeals and ensures uninterrupted access to home/community-based healthcare for disabled individuals, directly protecting patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1117: Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Council and the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs - Recommendations for Elopement Response Devices

HB 1117 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain insurers to cover approved "elopement response devices" for specific individuals. These devices - such as door sensors, wearable location trackers, or alert systems - prevent people with cognitive, developmental, or neurological conditions from wandering unsafely (e.g., leaving a supervised area without the ability to return safely). Coverage is mandated when ordered by a qualified healthcare provider and documented in a qualifying plan (like an individualized education plan or dementia care plan) for eligible recipients: those under 21 with early screening eligibility, on home-based waiver programs, or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The bill defines these devices as medical equipment or assistive technology under state programs, ensuring coverage without regard to when the program was established.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/insurers to cover medical devices for cognitive condition management, expanding patient access to necessary health services per provider orders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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