The Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative established the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition in 1999.  It is the state's largest health care consumer coalition with over 1100 diverse organizational members, including religious, health, community, labor, and business groups from across the state. Our members want to solve Maryland's health care crisis by winning all Marylanders access to quality and affordable health care.

Our Health Care Consumer Victories

The Health Care for All! Coalition has already won major victories for health care consumers.  In recent years, we successfully prevented CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield from becoming a for-profit company preserving quality health care for millions of subscribers. The Coalition has successfully enacted major parts of its Health Care for All! Plan: 

Greatly Expanded Health Care Coverage
Greatly Reduced Teen Smoking

In the Special Session of Fall 0f 2007, we worked with Governor Martin O'Malley to enact HB 5, which increased the state tobacco tax by one dollar that will deter more than 50,000 children from smoking, one-third of whom would have died from tobacco related illnesses.  We also enacted SB 6, which expands access to Medicaid for adults from an embarrasing level of 38% of Federal Poverty Level to 116%, which makes Maryland a nationwide leader and increased access to over 100,000 Marylanders! 

Required Large Companies to do their Fair Share on Health Care

Enacted in 2006, the Fair Share Health Care Act would prevent our state’s largest and most profitable companies from dumping their employee health care costs on the taxpayers.  It is the nation's first state law to require large companies to contribute a minimum amount towards their employee’s health care. Though the federal courts overturned this law, its enactment helped cause Wal-Mart to substantially expand their employee health care coverage, though they still have more to do. 

Won Lower Cost Prescription Drugs for the Uninsured

According to national experts, HB 1143 passed in 2005 will provide the largest prescription drug discount for the uninsured in the nation. Uninsured or underinsured people living in Maryland that make below 200% FPL could soon have access to discounts of 40% or higher off the cost of name brand drugs.  Recently, the Bush Administration denied a needed waiver.  We are working with Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on legislation that would authorize Maryland to implement this program. 

Built a Stronger and More Sturdy Safety Net

HB 627 passed in 2005 increases funding for health care centers that serve the uninsured, requires Maryland hospitals to create a uniform financial assistance application, helps federally qualified health centers obtain capital grants to expand, expands uninsured people’s access to more affordable prescription drugs and creates a legislative task force to study how to achieve health care for all Marylanders. 

Won More Fair Reimbursement for Physicians Treating Medicaid Patients

With the passage and override of the Governor’s veto on HB 2 passed in 2004, over 600,000 Marylanders currently receiving assistance through the State’s Health Choice Program will have better access to physicians.  Physicians will once again be paid a fair wage for treating patients in this program. 

Prevented Massive Health Care Cuts

Prior to the 2005 legislative session, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced that it was considering $483 M in cuts to health care services in Maryland.  With strong grassroots pressure, we convinced the Governor not to make these wholesale cuts.  Every cut to health care for the poor hurts families and leads to increases in health care premiums for those with insurance.  

Maryland Health Care for All! is a broad-based coalition of 1100 faith, labor, business and community groups that have been working to guarantee all Marylanders access to quality, affordable health care.  To learn more, call 410-235-9000 or visit http://www.healthcareforall.com