[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6660405,"mediaKeyId","2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0","parentId",2435678,"title","Maryland hearing spotlights plan to use ACA segregated premiums to fund abortion grants","audioSeconds",2500,"startMs",236000,"endMs",2736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0&start=236&end=2736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0/thumbnail_236000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660405/Maryland/Maryland-hearing-spotlights-plan-to-use-ACA-segregated-premiums-to-fund-abortion-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660405-c2f6f3aef76c995772df742805dbe2fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244755&Signature=IOlpv7~LHwHZah~djm~gNKNXm1P2k~NH2YUkAtNvQ449YzOQ4TdJndh7~BSqf~PIC-16aqcpuTKk4gB2m7u6cz3KNhEtP0ia3fiXGNRAWTqg-dGRlYxErYcWEGtkRMbY46XH2rGdpenqZA~Ln4UA6AJYQjCc6OjsAwlYYoCLQ8PiAraakcDf75XsUYbuwzFCyhSm~z7IknuNMGg6-H5ARk14dYuoc1Vot6k2CRJiw2LL-uULHBbk67Pl~K2JYw5ENqz1zsH3v0eLbqtaPpiVspieOLNXI9pcqqugXhK2BaZ~WAIIefvr9XZr1r3SqP63B5CHjDp1seRAnUvIxzXx0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Health and Government Operations","date","2025-02-27T23:46:25.63Z","article","Delegate Leslie Lopez asked the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Monday to give HB 930 a favorable report, saying the bill would establish a public‑health grant program under the Maryland Department of Health to reimburse providers for abortion costs \"without a penny from taxpayers.\" Lopez said the measure would draw on segregated accounts created under the Affordable Care Act that are earmarked for abortion coverage and that the Maryland Insurance Administration estimates hold about $25,000,000 now and generate roughly $3,000,000 annually.

Why this matters: Supporters said the fund would shore up access to abortion care amid closures and rising demand after the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision curtailed federal protections and as nonprofit abortion funds struggle to meet needs. Critics called the plan a state bailout of abortion providers and said it would compel private insurance policyholders to subsidize services they oppose.

Sponsor’s case: \"This fund comes from surplus insurance premiums mandated by the Affordable Care Act,\" Delegate Leslie Lopez said in opening remarks. Lopez described the fund as a sustainable, non‑general‑fund source that would require MDH to award 90% of program funds to grantees for direct services and allow 10% for administration.

Medical and advocacy witnesses who testified in favor echoed that access gaps persist even in Maryland, where voters recently enshrined reproductive rights in the state constitution. Karen Nelson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Maryland, said providers are seeing uncompensated care and capacity strain: \"Having this fund would limit the stress that's put on providers and most importantly the patients themselves,\" Nelson said. Lynn McCann Yeh of the Baltimore Abortion Fund said demand has surged; her group estimates needing $6–7 million to meet client needs while operating on about $2 million.

State agencies and legal offices backed the concept. Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, deputy secretary for public health at the Maryland Department of Health, said the department has worked with providers on an abortion access strategy and that grant funding would help cover services not fully met by insurance or Medicaid. A representative of the comptroller's office told the committee the proposal would be a \"sustainable model\" because it leverages funds dedicated to abortion coverage under federal ACA rules.

Opposition and concerns: Speakers from Maryland Right to Life, the Maryland Family Institute and other groups argued the measure would expand public support for abortion and raise moral and constitutional objections. Laura Boegely, executive director of Maryland Right to Life, called the bill a bailout that would \"force state taxpayers to pay millions more each year to bail out abortion businesses.\" Speakers also raised questions about whether the money ultimately derives from taxpayer dollars via federal and state tax flows.

Process and privacy: Lopez and witnesses said the ACA‑created $1 per member per month accounts are kept separate by insurers and accrue interest; HB 930 would direct those segregated funds into the newly established Public Health Abortion Grant Program Fund. The bill would also include privacy protections for patient information and prohibit grantees from imposing restrictions inconsistent with law.

What the committee did: The hearing collected extensive testimony and closed with the chair noting committee members will deliberate; no formal committee vote on HB 930 was recorded at the hearing.

Context and next steps: Supporters said the program represents a non‑general‑fund way to stabilize access, while opponents argued it expands public subsidization of abortions. The committee will consider the testimony as it decides whether to advance the bill for floor consideration.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HGO Committee Session, 2/27/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Delegate Leslie Lopez asked the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Monday to give HB 930 a favorable report, saying the bill would establish a public‑health grant program under the Maryland Department of Health to reimburse providers for abortion costs \"without a penny from taxpayers.\"","taxTitle","Health and Government Operations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15061,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6660396,"Maryland advocates press insurers to add FDA‑approved anti‑obesity drugs to formularies; sponsors emphasize long‑term cost savings",416,3408000,3824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0&start=3408&end=3824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0/thumbnail_3408000.jpg","/articles/6660396/Maryland/Maryland-advocates-press-insurers-to-add-FDAapproved-antiobesity-drugs-to-formularies-sponsors-emphasize-longterm-cost-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660396-3ed6f6b92eac005cbdee9e47b2c5cf8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244755&Signature=fQ~LcTVlv-yPO0Qk~hP-fP6GBUsFequL9MIWUJMze3tcy7C0ZDHC~DZILFopPqAL6ED1vpD-HYoMmam8UBNkwLG9PTFeUNLYM8fVPs6LwbEn9rjROnMPbvWikZvPq-qFkY~YHytPMgyJ-0~khclxrLR9RjOkzj8gJg7YLDezo9QAbkHIlADIYWwPiplu3IB5B2zNyNOFSYfNP4-lr9TxEzUtVqDjJYhfdL72nos2yUNuDbIVmMSbo2AwjXfgXGV3PwbgTkZukgUB2zsOq2GxAnC80OLZKPm1RKVHdGdrRx~3aHbFBEMj6w8MlWzkBv4P6fNXPw7diSNSW0p~ew-gxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate April Miller urged the Health and Government Operations Committee on Monday to support HB 10 31, legislation that would require insurers to include FDA‑approved anti‑obesity medications on plan formularies and thereby increase access for patients with clinically significant obesity.

Sponsor testimony and patients: Miller described obesity as a chronic disease with large social and economic costs and said new medicines can reduce inflammation, improve mobility and prevent progression to severe disease. She and patient witnesses gave personal testimony: one witness said a medication helped her lose 60 pounds and regain health and mobility. Supporters argued that making these drugs available on formularies (even with cost‑sharing) allows patients to use manufacturer programs and negotiated pricing rather than rely solely on out‑of‑pocket retail purchases.

Clinical and public‑health case: The American Diabetes Association and other professional witnesses said obesity is the leading contributor to many chronic conditions and that evidence shows medicines can delay progression to type 2 diabetes and reduce downstream costs. ADA witnesses and clinicians testified that access would also address disparate impacts in communities of color and rural areas.

Insurer, PBM, and practical concerns: Industry witnesses, PBM representatives and some legislators pressed on the fiscal implications. Michael Johansen of PCMA and carrier witnesses said plan sponsors typically determine which drugs to place on formularies and at what cost share. They recommended plan‑level solutions — for example, placing drugs on a negotiated formulary tier with high member cost share while seeking manufacturer rebates — rather than a statutory mandate that could create large, uncertain fiscal impacts. Carriers asked for time and specific language to design benefit options that balance access and affordability.

Committee discussion and next steps: Members expressed sympathy for patient stories and asked about evidence on whether patients remain on medication long term and the potential budget effects. Several members said they wanted additional analysis of fiscal impacts and implementation options. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.

","Supporters of HB 10 31 argued anti‑obesity medications can reduce long‑term chronic disease costs and urged insurers to put approved drugs on formularies (not necessarily full coverage); PBMs and carriers said plan sponsors decide coverage and urged negotiation; witnesses described patient experiences and raised equity concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6660401,"Committee hears bill to bar step‑therapy ‘fail‑first’ protocols for insulin; sponsors cite patient safety",389,2766000,3155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0&start=2766&end=3155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435678-94d119929d2bf0b0996be3bf2fe85bd0/thumbnail_2766000.jpg","/articles/6660401/Maryland/Committee-hears-bill-to-bar-steptherapy-failfirst-protocols-for-insulin-sponsors-cite-patient-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660401-e14180d1ac8e14fc09c7944b34028727/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244755&Signature=i8ATwffU7ntIv0wsMZw1DOSyiRxhGNmZZw2mIArNTcDdlNz0PLCh0NG7-XWzDpKKgT-cZPyrB9YqE5Yf0AqktbZH01IQ-nGor9Le72~plzHWgtUh4GWVc6nlkTu3GE-Op9qXa-F7I6wYKFU4SMwg4DCTRXC3VNjgpsQrNUOU7qtl54LAs3C2J0xPFPbrkvHr8rzjR1XwBqtM29pE~uuNprRZij5ow5x9wQFgl7BSyHHKXPAXlme5W5NeG4crIwzpHucSAlaWLzELndTWJoYpV5SDfM9ZTZLmmGRuY1vp27VVdB1CKAx3jQHudZeMHp65hgmLhgNqOcZw5hQLbckumw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Woods presented House Bill 9 70 to the House Health and Government Operations Committee, seeking to prohibit Maryland insurers and health plans from imposing step‑therapy or \"fail‑first\" protocols for insulin and certain similar diabetes medications.

Sponsor’s view and testimony: \"Patients should not be obligated to just wait and see if a medication will fail before having access to potentially life‑saving medication,\" Delegate Woods said, arguing that prior‑authorization delays and step‑therapy requirements have in some studies resulted in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Monica Bilger of the American Diabetes Association said the group supports the bill to ensure \"providers, not insurers, will have the final say in selecting the appropriate insulin for their patients.\" She described cases from other states of severe adverse events after step therapy requirements.

Insurer, PBM and trade perspectives: Michael Johansen of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association said PBMs implement utilization tools only at the direction of plan sponsors and that many plans already follow best practices that avoid step therapy for insulin. He flagged language in the bill that could extend protections too broadly to newly marketed agents or different administration methods, raising concerns about cost and unintended consequences. Johansen said carriers and PBMs are willing to negotiate clarifying amendments.

Committee discussion: Members asked witnesses whether Maryland had documented incidents of insulin denial for type‑1 patients; witnesses said they had not seen documented Maryland cases but reiterated concern that absent a statutory prohibition new carriers or changes in practice could introduce step therapy in the future. The committee also discussed possible targeted fixes to the bill’s definitions to avoid unintended coverage problems for other drugs.

Outcome: The bill hearing drew support from patient advocates and diabetes organizations and cautious opposition from PBM representatives who requested clarifying language. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.

","HB 970 would prohibit insurers from imposing step‑therapy or 'fail‑first' requirements for insulin and similar diabetes medications; proponents said step therapy delays can cause ER visits and irreversible harm, while PBM and insurer representatives say current practice rarely forces life‑threatening delays and asked to work on precise language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Maryland hearing spotlights plan to use ACA segregated premiums to fund abortion grants

Maryland advocates press insurers to add FDA‑approved anti‑obesity drugs to formularies; sponsors emphasize long‑term cost savings

Committee hears bill to bar step‑therapy ‘fail‑first’ protocols for insulin; sponsors cite patient safety