October 1, 2026
Capital News Service
Mehedi Marof
Excerpt:
Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, warned that coverage losses could raise costs for people who remain insured.
“We all benefit from this health care coverage,” he said. Without it, he said, more people could turn to hospitals, raising uncompensated care costs and premiums.
DeMarco said state lawmakers will have to raise more money for health care. His coalition’s five-point plan includes a proposed 10-cent-per-drink increase in the alcohol tax, which he said could raise nearly $220 million.
Seshamani said the state has a $25 million fund for federally qualified health centers so people who lose insurance will still have a place to seek care.
Montgomery County is preparing to serve more residents through Montgomery Cares and Care for Kids, Ashford said. In Prince George’s County, uninsured residents can seek care at federally qualified health centers, reproductive health and HIV/STI clinics and behavioral health services, Ballard said.
These programs, however, have finite capacity.
Read the full article at cnsmaryland.org.
Last modified: October 1, 2026
