Bryan P. Sears / Maryland Matters
This story was produced by Maryland Matters and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
In the new administration’s first year, Gov. Wes Moore (D) and the state’s top lawmakers supported legislation to bolster health care coverage, access and protections in Maryland.
Moore signed several bills back in May that aim to do just that. Some of those bills, including measures to protect and expand access to abortion services, took effect in June. But several health-care focused bills went into effect over the weekend, with a start date of Oct.1.
Those bills, now law, could have a far-reaching effect on the health care system in the state, from information-gathering councils and work groups, to a broad mandate creating a network for improved behavioral health services, to protections for transgender-focused health care.
The new laws may also serve as a jumping off point for additional health-focused bills that will be considered in the upcoming 2024 legislative session.
“I think you see a framework of a change in direction in how we’re going to be doing things in Annapolis. I think you’re going to see more proactive health policies going forward. I think this first year is kind of a building year,” said Gene Ransom, CEO of MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society.
Here’s a recap of new health care related laws that took effect this week:
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