HEALTH
HEALTH
HB 29 (Manno) Long Term Care Insurance - Discrimination Based on Genetic Information or Tests - Prohibited
This bill would prohibit an insurer, nonprofit health plan, health maintenance organization, or preferred provider organization from discriminating against an applicant or insured person in the issuance or renewal of long term care insurance using the results of a genetic test on genetic information. Hrg 1/31 HGO
HB 37 (Manno) Medicare Part D “Donut Hole” Tax Assistance Act
This bill proposes to provide a mechanism whereby individuals enrolled in Part D of the Medicare Program may deduct from their Maryland income tax certain out of pocket expenses for a cost incurred that is in excess of the initial coverage limit, but below the annual out of pocket threshold.
The bill attempts to correct, at the state level, major deficiencies caused by federal legislation.
W&M
HB 69 (Mizeur) Prosthetic Parity Act. .
This bill would require that insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations that provide health insurance policies or contracts in this state shall provide coverage and payment for prosthetic devices that are at least equivalent to those provided under federal laws and regulations for the aged and disabled. The prosthetic device must be the most appropriate model to meet the needs of the person. Coverage must be provided for repair and replacement. Copayments or coinsurance may be required. Hrg 1/31 HGO
HB115 (Tarrant et al) Medical Assistance Programs and Maryland Children’s Health Program - Statements on State-Issued Checks
This bill would require that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Office of the Comptroller or State Treasurer print a statement to advise that individuals who cannot afford health insurance may be eligible to enroll in a medical assistance program. The statement would be printed on each state issued tax refund check, each state issued vendor payment check, and quarterly on each state issued employee paycheck. HGO
SB23 (Simonaire and Greenip) Teenage Protection Pilot Program .
This bill would require that prior to performing an abortion on a woman who is under the age of twenty, facilities in Anne Arundel County would offer the patient the option to view the image of the fetus on ultrasonography equipment, offer a printout of the fetus, and require that the patient sign an informational form stating that she accepts or rejects the offers. FIN
LWVMD has vigorously opposed similar legislation citing the LWVUS position” that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.”
Loretta Richardson