Health Reform Coordinating Council

Public Meetings on Draft Recommendations

The federal Affordable Care Act is law, national health care reform is a reality, and implementation by the states has begun.

Governor Martin O’Malley established the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council to recommend policy and strategies for implementing federal health care reform. This council is co-chaired by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and Secretary John Colmers.

The Health Care for All! Coalition has been very active in this process. Members of our board of directors, coalition partners, staff and volunteers have participated in all meetings thus far and submitted formal comment to each workgroup.

The Council’s final recommendations, address:
• The ways and means to enroll people who will be newly eligible for health insurance
• Assurances for maintaining a healthcare safety net
• Increases to the primary healthcare workforce
• Development of cost-efficient, quality payment systems
• Means and methods to distribute health care information to the public

Public input on these recommendations is very important.

Special thanks goes out to those of you who participated in the regional public forums for the Health Reform Coordinating Council. All meetings were open to all members of the public. Participants were given opportunity to make brief comments which should specifically address only the Council’s draft recommendations. Anyone who was not unable to attend, or would like to offer broader comment on health reform beyond the Council’s draft recommendations is invited to send written comments via the Council’s website.  We’re happy to help you draft comments or fill you in on any meetings you may have missed.

Copies of our coalition’s official comments to each workgroup may be downloaded below.

Official Comments to the Exchange Workgroup

Official Comments to the Delivery System Workgroup

Official Comments to the Workforce Development Workgroup

Official Comments to the Entry to Coverage Workgroup

Official Comments to the Education and Outreach Workgroup

Official Comments to the Safety Net Programs and Special Populations Workgroup