Legislation will help bring down the cost of high-cost drugs for all Marylanders
March 13, 2025
ANNAPOLIS, MD-The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition congratulated the Maryland Senate for passing legislation to expand the authority of the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Board now has the authority to limit high drug costs for state and local governments, but not yet for most average Marylanders.
“We are grateful to the Senate for its overwhelming support for this critically important legislation. Both the House of Delegates and Senate have approved this measure, and we are confident Governor Wes Moore will sign it. When fully enacted, this measure will expand the Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s authority so it can work to bring down costs for all Marylanders,” said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Coalition. “Too many people in our state struggle to pay for their essential medications, and we must do more to make drugs affordable for all. Maryland was a leader by establishing the first Board of its kind in the nation. With final approval of this bill, we will again be a national leader in the fight to bring down drug costs.”
The legislation, SB 357, is sponsored by Senators Dawn Gile and Brian Feldman. The companion bill, HB 424, is sponsored by Delegates Bonnie Cullison and Jennifer White Holland.
The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board was the first of its kind when created by the General Assembly in 2019; today, several other states have followed Maryland’s lead. We thank Governor Wes Moore for his leadership on this issue and we thank the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange for providing testimony in support of the legislation.
Last modified: March 13, 2025
