Del. Anne Kaiser

Maddy summaryHB 871 adds "community health worker workforce programs" to Maryland’s definition of "community benefit" for nonprofit hospitals. It allows hospitals and community-based organizations to partner through a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish these programs, which must include specific elements like health outcome goals, implementation plans, and data protocols. The bill requires hospitals to provide employer-sponsored health insurance to community health workers employed through these partnerships. This directly affects nonprofit hospitals, community organizations, and community health workers, aiming to improve patient access to care and address social determinants of health.

Maddy summaryHB 974 requires Maryland health insurers to cover specific preventive services - like evidence-based screenings rated A/B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommended immunizations, and women’s preventive care - without requiring copays, deductibles, or coinsurance for policyholders. It directly affects health insurers and their customers by mandating coverage for these services under state law. The bill shifts enforcement authority to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner, who must ensure compliance with federal rules and guidance in effect as of December 31, 2024. The law takes effect on June 1, 2025, aligning state coverage requirements with federal standards for preventive care.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 establishes the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group within the Department of Health to address two key issues: ensuring Medicaid payment rates for home and community-based services are sufficient to maintain access, and supporting the development of an adequate direct care workforce. The advisory group will include 11 voting members representing consumers, consumer organizations, direct care workers, worker organizations, provider associations, and the public, plus a nonvoting data expert. It must reflect Maryland’s diversity in disability, race, ethnicity, gender, and other demographics. The group will meet quarterly starting November 1, 2025, and the Department of Health will provide staff and logistical support to ensure meaningful participation from consumers and direct care workers. This bill directly affects Medicaid recipients needing home/community services, direct care workers, and organizations serving these groups.

Maddy summaryHB 765 allows Maryland hospitals to sell patient medical debt **only to government units or their contractors for debt cancellation**, not for profit. It requires hospitals to dismiss all pending collection actions for sold debt, stop all collection efforts on that debt, and report detailed data on debt sales (including amounts sold, payments received, and patient demographics) annually. The bill directly affects hospitals by mandating new financial policies and patient reporting requirements, and impacts patients whose debt is sold by preventing further collection attempts. Key provisions include prohibiting interest charges before court judgment, requiring refunds for patients later found eligible for free care, and banning hospitals from reporting adverse credit information during an 180-day grace period.

Maddy summaryHB 745 requires Maryland's State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to issue behavior analyst licenses within 10 days of receiving a complete application, or within 30 days if additional information is needed to complete an initially incomplete application. The bill mandates the Board send email notifications to applicants at four key stages: when an application is received, review begins, completeness is confirmed (or more info is needed), and when a license is issued or denied. This directly affects individuals applying for behavior analyst licensure in Maryland by setting clear timelines for processing and improving communication. The bill does not change eligibility requirements but focuses on streamlining the application process and transparency. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 459, the "James 'Jimmy' Malone Act," requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations in Maryland to cover preventive cancer screenings for professional firefighters without copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles. It applies to all insurers offering coverage in the state and mandates that counties, municipalities, and state employee health programs comply with these screening coverage requirements. The bill specifies that screenings must follow guidelines from the International Association of Fire Fighters and takes effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects firefighters employed by state, county, or municipal entities and their health insurance providers.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program), managed care organizations, and certain health insurers to cover anesthesia services without time limits. It mandates that if a licensed medical professional orders anesthesia for a procedure, coverage must extend for the entire procedure duration, and insurers cannot impose any time restrictions on this coverage. The bill applies to all policies issued or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and insured patients needing anesthesia for medical procedures. This change aligns anesthesia coverage requirements with existing standards for other health services under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 933 requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their total nursing and residential care income on direct care staff wages and benefits, including nurses, dietary workers, therapists, and social workers. Nursing homes must annually submit detailed cost reports by September 1 (starting in 2026) to the Maryland Department of Health, including proof of wage payments and other required details. The Department can enforce compliance through actions like recouping funds, imposing corrective plans, or suspending program participation for violations. This bill directly affects nursing homes operating in Maryland and aims to ensure adequate staffing resources through transparent financial reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 331 amends Maryland's Public Information Act to explicitly allow the Public Access Ombudsman to delegate specific powers and duties to staff members within their office. This change directly affects the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman by clarifying its internal operational authority. The key provision (added to Section 4-1B-03(g) of the Maryland Annotated Code) formally authorizes the Ombudsman to assign responsibilities to staff, streamlining the office's ability to manage public records requests and investigations. The bill does not alter public rights or create new obligations for citizens or agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 297 extends Maryland's State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Program by removing its scheduled termination date (sunset provision). The bill amends Maryland's Insurance Code to permanently authorize the program, which provides health insurance subsidies to young adults (typically ages 19-25) who purchase coverage through the state's Health Benefit Exchange. Key provisions include renaming the program from "Pilot" to "Program" and ensuring ongoing funding from state-designated sources (as specified in Section 31-107(e)(11)). This change allows the program to continue operating without a fixed end date, directly affecting young adults seeking affordable health coverage in Maryland.