Maryland - One Payer States

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/