1.2 million MDers to gain healthcare protection

According to a report out today from FamiliesUSA, nearly 1.2 million non-elderly Marylanders with pre-existing conditions will gain needed protection from health insurance discrimination under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  That's nearly one out of every four Marylanders under the age of 65 (24.2 percent).

Thanks to the ACA, beginning in 2014 no Marylander (or resident of any other state) can be denied coverage, charged a higher premium, or sold a policy that excludes coverage of important health services simply because of a pre-existing condition. Using historical data about the number of Maryland residents diagnosed with pre-existing conditions, FamiliesUSA was able to estimate the number of individuals at risk of being discriminated against by the health insurance industry. The 1.2 million Marylanders are distributed across the state, including:

• 184,800 in Montgomery County
• 170,900 in Prince George's County
• 167,000 in Baltimore County
• 136,300 in Baltimore City

Furthermore:

• In Allegany and Garrett counties, the share of non-elderly residents with a diagnosed pre-existing condition is 28.8 percent (highest in the state).
• 46.1 percent of adults between 55-64 years of age have been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition that, until the ACA, would have put them at risk of health insurance discrimination.
• Income does not predict likelihood of pre-existing conditions--24.3 percent of Marylanders in households making more than 4x the poverty rate have been so diagnosed.
• The numbers may in fact be much higher, as FamiliesUSA based their estimate on the number of Marylanders currently diagnosed with a pre-existing condition. Many others, particularly those currently without health insurance, may be undiagnosed.

We here at MBTPI are glad that Maryland is at the forefront of the effort to implement the ACA, and will continue to promote policies that meet the needs of all Marylanders, especially those most in need.

The Week Ahead

Quite a few meetings related to health care and health care reform this week.

Monday, July 16th

• Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law meets. 10am in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board, Exchange Financing and Sustainability Advisory Committee meets. 2-3:30pm in the Tech Center UMBC Main Seminar Room, 1450 Rolling Road, Baltimore.

Tuesday, July 17th

• Work-group on Lead Liability Protection for Rental Property meets. 10am on the 24th Floor Hearing Room, Maryland Insurance Administration, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore.
• Maryland Advisory Committee on Manufacturing Competitiveness holds a board meeting. 10am to noon at Marquip-Ward United, 10615 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville.
• Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 1-3pm in the Joint Hearing Room at the Department of Legislative Services, Annapolis.
• Joint Committee on Health Benefit Exchange Financing of the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council holds its first meeting. 3-4pm in the Joint Hearing Room at the Department of Legislative Services, Annapolis.
• Maryland Nonprofits is holding a training on financial leadership.

Wednesday, July 18th

• Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families meets for an update on the Race to the Top Early LEarning Challenge Grant and a presentation on after school programs. 10am in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government meets for a design update on the General Assembly website. Public testimony will be accepted. 1pm in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Essential Health Care Benefits Advisory Committee of the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 9am to noon in the Tech Center UMBC Main Seminar Room, 1450 Rolling Road, Baltimore.
• Maryland Nonprofits is holding a webinar on developing a conflict of interest policy.

Thursday, July 19th

• Maryland Health Care Commission meets. 1pm in room 100, Maryland Health Care Commission, 4160 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• Inter-agency Committee on School Construction meets to discuss fiscal year 2013 energy efficiency improvement procedures. 10-10:30 in the 2nd floor conference room, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore.

Friday, July 20th

• Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 2-4pm in the Main Conference Room, Maryland Health Care Commission, 4160 Patterson Avenue Baltimore.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases state employment figures for June 2012.  In May Maryland's unemployment rate rose for the third straight month, to 6.8 percent.

The Week Ahead

Happy Monday! Last week I blogged about the need for an internet sales tax and the national employment figures for May.


Tuesday, June 5th

• Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics holds a work session. This is the committee that makes decisions on such issues as whether or not regular session legislator fundraising prohibitions apply during special sessions (they do). 1pm in room 206 of the Legislative Services Building, Annapolis.
• State Advisory Council on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders meets to discuss the Carroll County Health Department and newborn screening. 6pm in room L-1 at 201 W. Preston Street (State Center), Baltimore.
• Maryland's Economic Development Commission holds a board meeting. 10am in the 17th Floor Conference Room at the World Trade Center, Baltimore.
• The Urban Institute holds its monthly lunch forum at noon.  June's topic is "State Leaders Reimagine Reform: Improving Access to Health and Human Services."  You can attend in person or watch the live webcast. 
• The Maryland Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a day-long briefing to collect information about why there are racial disparities and their impact on Maryland's prison population. Members of the public are invited to attend, or you can submit comments to the commission at ero@usccr.gov. 9:30am in the Joint Hearing Room, Legislative Services Building, Annapolis.

Wednesday, June 6th

• Board of Public Works holds a regular meeting. The 255 page agenda and its 21 page summary is now available. 10am in the Governor's Reception Room on the second floor of the State House. The pre-meeting will be held at 9:45 A.M. in Room 217.
• Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) holds its monthly meeting. The HSCRC-created in 1971-is one way that Maryland strives to contain health care costs while enhancing access to care. 10am in room 100 at 4160 Patterson Ave, Baltimore.
• Vehicle Theft Prevention Council meets to discuss and vote on grant applications for FY 2013. 11am in the 9th Floor Conference Room of  Baltimore County Police Headquarters, 700 East Joppa Road, Towson.

Thursday, June 7th

• Our partners at Maryland Nonprofits are holding a training called "Superstar Supervisory Skills for Nonprofit Managers."  This is an all day training and lunch is provided if you register by June 4th.  The cost is $200, or $100 if you or your organization are a Maryland Nonprofits member. 10am in Suite 303, 8720 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.

Friday, June 8th

• Health Quality and Cost Council meets for updates from its work-groups.  The Council was created by Governor O'Malley to coordinate resources; promote effective, appropriate, and efficient policies; and reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes. 9:30am in the Main Seminar Room of the UMBC Technology Center, 1450 South Rolling Road, Baltimore.
• Board of Social Work Examiners holds a public hearing which may include discussing and voting on proposed regulations.  A portion of the meeting may be held in closed session. 11am in room 109 of the Metro Building, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.