STATEMENT BY VINCENT DEMARCO, PRESIDENT
MARYLAND CITIZENS’ HEALTH INITIATIVE
COMMENDING GOVERNOR O’MALLEY AND THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON TODAY’S
SIGNING OF THE 2012 HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE LEGISLATION
On behalf of the over 1200 faith, community, labor, business and health care organizations in the Maryland Health Care For All! Coalition, we commend Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly on today’s signing landmark legislation which will empower the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange Board to make health care more affordable for Marylanders.
As proposed by the Governor and passed by the General Assembly, this legislation gives the Exchange Board the authority to use effective methods such as team based patient centered medical care, value based insurance design, and active purchasing which will reduce the cost and improve the quality of health care for Marylanders insured by the new Exchange.
This legislation will also address cultural competency and health disparities so that every Marylander can get the health care they need.
We look forward to working with the Governor, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, and Health Secretary and Exchange Board Chair Josh Sharfstein to make sure that the Board uses these new powers effectively to keep Maryland at the forefront of fully implementing the federal Affordable Care Act.
Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012, House Bill 443
Last modified: May 2, 2012
