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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - MARYLAND
The 2007 legislative session has been in progress since Jan 10, and so far there
is a feeling of optimism, and little of last year’s partisan bickering. An
unusually low number of bills have been introduced, probably because a quarter
of the legislators are freshmen, and most of them are waiting until they have
become acquainted with their constituent special interest groups before stepping
forward with initiatives.
A flood of legislation is expected by the time the assembly ends its business on
April 9; the standard is about 3000 bills introduced per session.
Struggles over the “WalMart Bill” - which failed in the courts - have served as
a catalyst for all parties to step up to the plate to address issues of the
underinsured and uninsured. Business is indicating a new interest in broadening
responsibility for coverage of the uninsured. Indeed, making everyone
accountable for health care seems to be the current policy shift – what a
contrast to the old tradition of keeping provider reimbursement low and
insurance rates high!
To date, there is emphasis in three areas of health care:
First, there are a handful of the expected 3, 000 bills that propose meaningful
change – for the better – to the way that providers are compensated. These are
bills which make it easier for you to be reimbursed and harder for payers to
avoid covering services to your clients.
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Healthy Maryland Initiative (SB 207; HB288) calls for appropriations based on a tobacco tax to reduce the numbers of uninsured by expanding eligibility for the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.
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Direct Access to Specialty Care (SB263) requires a health insurance carrier to allow patients to directly access a physician or non-physician specialists, with the protections afforded under the Appeals and Grievance procedures of the State Insurance Commission.
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Health Maintenance Organizations – Reimbursement Rates of Noncontracting Providers (SB 323; HB 330) establishes the rate at which a health maintenance organization must reimburse licensed health care providers who are not under contract for services rendered.
Second, there are major policy
changes proposed by the Administration which could positively affect Maryland
citizens’ access to health care. Your new Governor has made promising proposals
in his State of the State platform, stating that his administration is dedicated
to crafting ways to improve healthcare coverage and healthcare outcomes.
In order to begin to turn around the alarming healthcare trend of rising costs
and a rising number of uninsured Marylanders every year, the Governor is
proposing the Maryland Healthcare Access Act (SB 149; HB 132), which
will:
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Create a Health Insurance Exchange to help small businesses find more affordable coverage for their employees – on a pre-tax basis.
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Require insurance companies to allow younger adults up to age 25 to be covered under their parents' policies, and
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Provide healthcare coverage to more children in our state.
The Governor’s budget allows for:
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$25 million for Stem Cell research – a 66% increase over last year's appropriation.
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The restoration of Medicaid healthcare benefits to legal immigrant families, including 3,000 children, and
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Over $100 million to strengthen our provider systems by increasing reimbursement rates for doctors and other providers participating in our State's Medicaid Program.
Another proposal from the Governor
addresses concerns provider compensation; he recognizes that when physicians and
other providers do not receive adequate compensation for the services they
provide, it threatens the quality and effectiveness of our healthcare system.
Therefore, as part of his legislative agenda, the Governor proposes a task force
on Health Care Access and Physician Reimbursement (SB 107; HB 138),
addressing broad reimbursement issues for all licensed health providers.
First impressions will last for the next four to eight years. So think ahead.
The investment you make as clinical social workers, by being highly visible this
year, will pay off significantly in the future. As legislators learn who you are
and what you represent, they will be in a position to consider the implications
for you and your clients when they vote for policy change. Make your voices
heard!
Lobbyist Alice Neily Mutch of Capital Consultants of Maryland works with the
Maryland Legislative Council of Social Work Organizations (our coalition of the
Greater Washington and Maryland clinical societies), advocating in Annapolis for
social work issues and guiding the Council’s legislative and grassroots efforts.