FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2025
Action includes expanding authority of Prescription Drug Board, extending insurance subsidies for young adults and supporting Medicaid funding
The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition today congratulated the Maryland General Assembly for taking strong action to pass a range of bills to improve the health of Marylanders – including measures to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable and prepare for federal actions that could hurt Marylanders’ ability to obtain health insurance.
“This was a great year for health care legislation in Annapolis,” said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition. “Maryland has long been a leader in innovative health solutions, and we will continue to be so in 2025. The work of the Moore Miller Administration and the General Assembly will translate into making prescriptions more affordable, ensuring more Marylanders have affordable health insurance and sustaining the vital Medicaid program.
“We congratulate Governor Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, House Speaker Adrienne Jones and all members of the Assembly who stood with Marylanders and ensured our health system remains strong and able to serve all residents.”
Key health-related actions by the legislature:
- The legislature approved a bill (HB 424/SB 357) expanding the authority of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, empowering it to bring down costs of some high-cost medications for all Marylanders. Currently, the Board has the authority to cap costs of drugs purchased by state and local governments. Maryland has been a leader in this effort by establishing the first such board in the nation, and several states have followed suit. Thanks so much to the sponsors of this measure, Delegates Bonnie Cullison and Jennifer White Holland and Senators Dawn Gile and Brian Feldman.
- Legislation (HB 297/SB 5) passed to extend a successful program to provide health insurance subsidies for young adults. This year the Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidy Pilot Program has helped more than 64,000 young Marylanders enroll in insurance coverage. Thanks to this program, which is administered by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, many young adults (ages 18 to 37) have been able to access health coverage through Maryland Health Connection for the first time. This legislation extends this program permanently with full funding through at least 2028. Thanks so much to the sponsors of this measure, Delegate Ken Kerr and Senators Clarence Lam, Brian Feldman and Antonio Hayes.
- A bill (HB 1082) will require the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to establish and implement a broad state subsidy program to help Marylanders obtain health insurance in the event the federal government allows existing federal premium subsidies to lapse. This will be critically important to many Marylanders who may face steep premium hikes if federal action ends current supports. Thanks to the sponsors of this measure, Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Bonnie Cullison and Jennifer White Holland.
- Legislation (HB 718) was passed to reestablish the Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission, which will play a critical role by assessing the impacts that federal action might have on the health coverage for Marylanders. The Commission will also be charged with making recommendations to minimize the impact any cuts will have and identifying potential funding sources to support recommended changes. Thanks to the sponsors of this measure, Delegates Sandy Rosenberg and Josline Peña-Melnyk.
- Facing a state budget deficit, the General Assembly made some changes but resisted making major cuts to the Medicaid program which provides critical health care coverage for a significant proportion of Maryland’s low-income families, seniors, children, and people with disabilities. And we all benefit when less Marylanders use uncompensated hospital care which drives up our insurance premiums. This is a victory for working families and our most vulnerable Marylanders at a time when Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid.
