Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1426: Clinical Research Pharmacies and Clinical Trials - Permits and Ownership

HB 1426 creates a new permit for clinical research pharmacies in Maryland, which are facilities specifically designed to conduct clinical trials. It allows healthcare providers to own these pharmacies under strict conditions, including requiring a licensed pharmacist to be on-site during all operating hours and prohibiting owners from receiving payment for patient referrals. The bill also exempts clinical trials conducted by corporations or entities from being classified as "practice of medicine," meaning trial staff no longer need individual medical licenses for their trial-related work. This change aims to streamline clinical research by removing a regulatory barrier that previously required individual licensing for trial staff.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables clinical trials via new pharmacy permits, promoting medical research and patient access to innovative treatments without restricting coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 494: Health Insurance - Primary Care Investment Targets - Reimbursement and Reporting

HB 494 requires health insurance companies, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operating in Maryland to structure their reimbursements to primary care providers in a way that meets annual investment targets set by the state. Starting February 1, 2026, these entities must report their progress toward meeting these targets when filing new or updated premium rates with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner. The bill amends insurance code sections to mandate this reporting requirement as part of premium rate filings. It takes effect October 1, 2026, focusing on transparency and accountability for primary care funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates higher insurer reimbursements for primary care to meet state investment targets, improving provider access and funding for essential health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 348: Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - High-Risk Pregnancies - Communication After Discharge

SB 348 requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers in Maryland to provide specific postpartum support to individuals who have experienced high-risk pregnancies. It mandates that facilities complete referral forms for local health departments, provide resources about postpartum complications (including cardiovascular conditions, chronic disease, substance misuse, and mental health), and call birthing parents 24 to 72 hours after discharge to assess their status. The bill also requires annual reports from health departments detailing referrals made through this process. These provisions apply to all facilities delivering newborns following high-risk pregnancies and take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates postpartum support, mental health resources, and follow-up calls for high-risk pregnancies - expands patient access and protection in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 598: Physicians - Licensing - Internationally Trained Physicians and Licensed Physicians Residing in Other Jurisdictions

HB 598 creates a temporary license for internationally trained physicians to practice medicine in Maryland under specific conditions. It allows the State Board of Physicians to issue a 3-year license (non-renewable) to doctors who hold a WHO-recognized medical degree outside the U.S., completed 2 years of equivalent postgraduate training, practiced medicine for 5 of the last 7 years abroad, passed U.S. medical exams (USMLE Steps 1-3), and meet other criteria like English proficiency and Maryland residency. The license requires physicians to pursue full licensure through board-established pathways after the temporary period ends. This directly affects internationally trained doctors seeking to work in Maryland’s healthcare system, providing a structured but limited pathway to practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians, expanding provider access and addressing healthcare workforce shortages in Maryland.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill enables internationally trained physicians (often immigrants) to practice medicine in Maryland, facilitating professional integration and providing healthcare services to immigrant communities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 633: Health Insurance - Ovarian Cancer Prevention With Salpingectomy - Required Coverage

HB 633 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover salpingectomy (surgical removal of fallopian tubes) as a preventive measure for ovarian cancer. It prohibits these insurers from charging copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for this specific procedure, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for covered individuals. The exception applies only to high-deductible health plans under federal law, allowing the deductible to apply to the procedure in those cases. This law directly affects women eligible for preventive care and the health insurance providers operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for ovarian cancer prevention salpingectomy, prohibiting cost-sharing to improve access and patient rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 489: Health Occupations - Physicians Trained in Foreign Countries - Exemption From Educational Requirements and Limited License

SB 489 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for physicians trained at international medical schools. It exempts applicants who provide evidence of completing two years of postgraduate training accredited by ACGME-I or another board-recognized body from standard educational requirements. These physicians would be permitted to practice medicine only during their initial license term under mandatory supervision, as specified by the Board. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting international medical graduates meeting these specific training criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts international medical graduates from standard licensing requirements, enabling supervised practice to expand physician access and address healthcare workforce shortages.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 515: Health Services Cost Review Commission - Health Facilities - Rate Setting

SB 515 requires Maryland's Health Services Cost Review Commission to consider all operational costs incurred by health facilities - including expenses for physicians and other providers without corresponding billing revenue - when setting hospital rates. This affects hospitals and health facilities operating under Maryland's all-payer model, as the Commission must now factor in full costs during rate reviews. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the Commission evaluate facility financial health and certify rates based on complete cost accounting, rather than excluding certain expenses. This change ensures rates more accurately reflect actual facility operations, including costs for professional services that previously weren't fully counted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Commission to include all operational costs (including physician expenses) in hospital rate setting, ensuring facilities cover full costs without service reductions, strengthening sustainable healthcare funding under Maryland's all-payer ...85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 813: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

HB 813 authorizes Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to notify Medicaid recipients if it chooses to provide this coverage and mandates a report to the legislature by November 1, 2027, on implementation progress. This directly affects Medicaid recipients with obesity by expanding covered treatments beyond current scope. The program may use standard utilization management processes (like for other conditions) to assess medical necessity but is not required to offer the coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes Medicaid expansion for obesity treatment, requiring state budget allocation for new coverage starting 2027, aligning with funding essential health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment (behavioral therapy, surgery, medications), expanding healthcare access and funding for a critical health condition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1625: Public Health - Newborn Screening Program - Fees and Core Conditions

This bill updates Maryland's newborn screening program by changing how fees are set and how new tests are added to the screening panel. It requires the Department of Health to charge fees that cover all administrative, laboratory, and follow-up costs rather than setting a specific maximum amount. The bill also establishes a process where an advisory council must review risks, costs, and accessibility before the department decides whether to test for new conditions added to the national screening panel. Additionally, it extends the timeline for implementing new tests to two years if equipment or supplies are delayed, with required reporting to state committees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens newborn screening program by ensuring full cost coverage and establishing advisory review for new tests, improving public health program effectiveness.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 989: State Assistance for the Elderly - Study on Calculation of Income

HB 989 modifies how income is calculated for elderly individuals seeking state assistance. It prohibits including rental income from a portion of an individual's primary residence (e.g., renting a room) when determining eligibility for state tax credits, housing assistance, or medical assistance programs. The Department of Aging must review all relevant programs to confirm applicability and notify administering agencies if the rule applies. This change directly affects elderly Marylanders who rely on state assistance programs with income-based eligibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes rental income from eligibility calculations for state assistance programs, expanding access to benefits without increasing taxes, directly supporting elderly fiscal assistance programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes rental income from income calculation for medical assistance eligibility, expanding access to healthcare for elderly residents.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes rental income from primary residence for housing assistance eligibility, increasing access to programs for elderly residents without reducing benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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