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Senator Ellis seeks annual hospital reporting on health disparities; administration amendment suggested
Summary
Senate Bill 129 would require Maryland hospitals to identify their 10 most pressing health disparities, report actions to address them, and coordinate with a health equity advisory committee; the sponsor said the bill aims to turn demographic data into targeted interventions.
Senator Arthur Ellis presented Senate Bill 129 to require hospitals to report annually on health disparities in access, treatment and outcomes and to detail specific actions they are taking to mitigate inequities.
Ellis said Maryland hospitals already collect demographic data but are not required to report how they use that information to reduce disparities. SB 129 would require hospitals to identify their 10 most pressing disparities affecting vulnerable populations, describe interventions and submit annual reports. The bill also creates a Health Equity Measures Advisory Committee—operating through the Maryland Commission on Health Equity and the Department of Health—to recommend measures and review hospital reports.
Ellis said the aim is to move hospitals from data collection to concrete action, identifying statewide trends that can inform policy and funding decisions. He cited disparities in heart disease, diabetes and stroke mortality for Black Marylanders and flagged emergency department access and wait times in certain counties as examples of problems the reporting could surface.
Senators did not record opposition at the hearing; the sponsor acknowledged a requested amendment to add a representative from MedChi (the Maryland State Medical Society) to the advisory committee and indicated willingness to consider technical changes. No formal vote was taken during the hearing.
