Maryland Matters
April 8, 2025
Op-Ed, Vincent DeMarco
Excerpt:
When Gov. Wes Moore adds his expected signature to landmark prescription drug affordability legislation passed by the General Assembly, it will highlight how his values on this life-saving issue are in stark contrast to those of his predecessor, Larry Hogan.
From the beginning of his tenure, Moore worked to empower Maryland’s first-in-the-nation Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). By contrast, Hogan undermined and hindered the PDAB’s work.
In 2019, the Maryland General Assembly, led by Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel), now chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee, passed legislation creating the PDAB. Hogan neither signed nor vetoed it, letting it become law without his signature.
But the next year, when the General Assembly passed legislation to fund the PDAB, Hogan vetoed it. Although the General Assembly overrode this veto the following year, Hogan’s callous action delayed its work. Further, Hogan slow-walked key appointments to the PDAB and its Stakeholder Council, which also hurt the PDAB’s ability to operate.
Read the full article at MarylandMatters.org.
Last modified: April 9, 2025
