Maryland committee hears plan to extend maternal and child health fund through 2027

Summary

Witnesses told the House Health and Government Operations Committee that House Bill 170 would extend the sunset on a hospital-assessment-funded maternal and child health program from Dec. 31, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2027, allowing the Department of Health to spend a remaining fund balance and continue Medicaid- and public-health-led services.

House Bill 170 would extend the sunset date for the Maternal and Child Health Population Health Improvement Fund so Maryland’s Department of Health can spend remaining balances and continue Medicaid and public-health programs, witnesses told the House Health and Government Operations Committee.

Supporters said the bill does not request new money but would allow the state to continue drawing federal matching funds tied to the existing fund. “The bill ensures continued funding for critical maternal and child health programs in Maryland, only using existing funds, not requesting additional money,” said John Kromm, executive director of the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC).

The measure would change the fund’s current sunset from Dec. 31, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2027, supporters said. Kromm said the HSCRC has allocated $40,000,000 to date for maternal and child interventions and projects a remaining fund balance of about $24,100,000 at the end of fiscal 2025. Laura Goodman, deputy director…

Maryland committee hears plan to extend maternal and child health fund through 2027

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading