Md. drug price-gouging bill allowed to go into law
Maryland’s first-in-the-nation bill to prevent price gouging by prescription drug manufacturers will become law Oct. 1 after a U.S. District Court judge denied the Association for Accessible Medicine’s request for a preliminary injunction. Judge Marvin J. Garbis granted the state of Maryland’s motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that the law would violate […]
Difficult health care choices may be on horizon for Md.
Maryland could have to decide between cutting coverage or spending a lot more money to fund health care if the U.S. Senate Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act were to become law. The Better Care Reconciliation Act unveiled Thursday would cut federal funding for Maryland’s Medicaid expansion as well as subsidies available on the individual […]
Md. health care groups still wary of federal reforms
Republicans might have pulled the American Health Care Act, but stakeholders in Maryland’s health care community remain wary of any future reform efforts that could come out of the Trump administration or Congress. The Maryland Hospital Association and the Maryland chapter of AARP, among other groups, welcomed the non-vote in Washington but still anticipate efforts […]
Study: Md.’s alcohol tax increase led to drop in drunken driving accidents
The increase in Maryland’s alcohol tax in 2011 has saved lives, advocates said after a new study showed a decrease in alcohol-related car crashes in the last six years. The study, by researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, showed a 6 percent decrease in alcohol-involved car incidents that lead to an injury or fatality. […]
Tobacco tax proposal a victim of political climate
A proposed increase on the state's tobacco tax appears to be on the back burner at least until Gov. Larry Hogan is out of office.
DeMarco, son ride across Md. to support veto override
The journey to overturn one of Gov. Larry Hogan's vetoes will begin with a single push of a bike peddle.
Some of Medicaid proposal already in place in Md.
Maryland health officials and advocates say they’re still working through 650 pages of Medicaid regulations proposed Tuesday, but the state is already meeting some of the new requirements suggested by the federal government. The proposal introduces new standards regarding managed-care organizations, which are contracted to provide health services to Medicaid recipients, such as requiring qua[...]
Battle over increasing tobacco taxes heats up
Supporters of a proposal to raise taxes on cigars on smokeless tobacco and cigars say it will raise revenue and prevent children from starting to smoke. Opponents say it will drive local tobacco stores out of business. Capital News Service has more...
C. Fraser Smith: Vinny DeMarco’s helping hand
Hey, pssst, General Assembly — Vinny DeMarco has an offer you can’t refuse. He knows you need at least a half-billion dollars, give or take, to balance the budget. He says he can get you $100 million, easy. And how would DeMarco come by such a sum? Not from his assembly of church and civic […]
Early support for alcohol tax hike
Health care advocates say they have 146 General Assembly candidates signed on to a proposal that would raise the state’s alcohol taxes by a dime a drink. Their effort was unsuccessful during the 2010 legislative session, when lawmakers swore off tax and fee increases as economically and politically unpalatable. But, the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative […]
Summer reading for Maryland political junkies
If you’ve followed Maryland health care politics in the last decade, Vinny DeMarco’s name should ring a bell. He’s the guy who has fought unrelentingly for years to win health care coverage for more Marylanders, not to mention get publicity for his causes, and he’s made some impressive strides. Under DeMarco’s watch, his Health Care […]