Maryland

May 15, 2020 By

Written by Kristy Fogle, PA-C (Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition, MDPHCoalition); David Rabin, MD (PDA)

State-based SP organizations

Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition https://www.facebook.com/MDPHcoalition/  (coalition partners listed at Facebook site)

Our Revolution, Maryland  (http://ourrevolutionmd.com/) (Strong ally of the coalition)

Healthcare is a Human Right Maryland– various chapters

National SP organizations

PNHP Maryland; National Nurses United, People’s Action, Public Citizen, Our Revolution, Social Security Works (all allies of the coalition. Many working on national bills rather than the state bills).

State-based SP bills

–2019: Healthy Maryland Act of 2019 (SB 871) Introduced by Senator Pinsky and 11 others 2/7/19  For a “comprehensive universal single-payer health care coverage program and a health care cost control system for the benefit of all residents of the state.”

–2019: Healthy Maryland Act of 2019 (HB 1087-sister to the Senate bill) Introduced by Delegates Barron, Acevero, Pena-Melnyk, and 29 others. 2/8/19 

–(2018 Healthy Maryland Act of 2018, introduced by Senator Pinsky and 6 others; cross filed with  HB1516 by Delegate Barron and 25 others)

Status:  (not brought to a vote)  

Related Legislation

SB0228  bill to establish a Commission on Universal Health Care which would be required to develop a plan to establish UHC through Single Payer on or before Jan 1, 2023. Introduced by Senator Pinsky.  (Note: this is not a SP plan, but perhaps a precursor to one.) http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0228?ys=2020RS

Status:  Hearing scheduled for 2/19/20 (1 pm) by Finance Committee.

Obstacles to state-based SP in the current context

  • Legislative effort at state based single payer in MD has not gone forward

  • Strong national groups in MD doing excellent work for national program but some actively discourage state-based initiative.

Advantages for SP in current context

  • Strong coalition Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition, working at both state and national levels.

  • Healthy Maryland Act bills in general assembly several times since 2012 Maryland Health Security Act.

  • Several strong single-payer legislative allies in addition to Sen Pinsky: Delegates Acevero and Pena-Melnyk. Important note: future possibility of single payer hearing in Pena-Melnyk’s health committee in Annapolis, MD.

Goals for SP movement in MD 2019-2020

Town Halls, educational events, public outreach, local resolutions: all specific to Congressional Districts of the 3 Congressmen who have not co-sponsored HR 1384 (Hoyer, Trone, Ruppersberger)

Where can people find news about Single Payer in your state and/or join a group? 

Maryland Healthcare Coalition https://www.facebook.com/MDPHcoalition/   Also Instagram.  

Our Revolution, Maryland  (http://ourrevolutionmd.com/)  (Hal Ginsberg)

(and other groups listed above and at MDPHCoalition Facebook page) 

#MovingMarylandForward

Healthcare-Now of Maryland  http://www.mdsinglepayer.org/

MD Organizations

State-based SP organizations

Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition 

(coalition partners listed at Facebook site)

Our Revolution, Maryland (Strong ally of the coalition)

Healthcare is a Human Right Maryland– various chapters

National SP organizations

PNHP Maryland; National Nurses United, People’s Action, Public Citizen, Our Revolution, Social Security Works (all allies of the coalition. Many working on national bills rather than the state bills).