Maryland Group Unveils Proposal for Universal Health Coverage in State

The Maryland Citizens Health Initiative on Dec. 9 introduced a plan to provide health coverage to the state's 600,000 uninsured residents, the Baltimore Sun reports. The plan would require businesses in the state that do not offer health insurance to employees to pay 5% of their payrolls into a fund for the uninsured. The plan also calls for an increase in the state's tobacco tax and funds from other programs to help cover the cost. The plan would encourage businesses to offer health insurance to employees and help individuals purchase private health coverage, the Sun reports. In addition, the plan includes provisions to expand the state's Medicaid program and to establish a new $522 million program, called "MdCare," to provide health insurance to about 170,000 state residents who do not qualify for other coverage. The plan would leave about 80% of Maryland residents with employer-sponsored health insurance. Peter Beilenson, chair of the initiative and health commissioner of Baltimore, said that Maryland must "guarantee access and coverage" to residents. The initiative will introduce the plan to state lawmakers when they return to session in January to address an estimated $1.2 billion budget deficit. State Sen. Paula Hollinger (D) said that although she favors plans to expand access to health coverage, "in a year without money and in the middle of a recession, my guess is that we wouldn't go too far in any direction this year." The plan also faces opposition from business groups. Ellen Valentino, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, criticized the plan as a "government-run plan financed on the backs of small businesses." Sean Cavanaugh, a lobbyist for the initiative, said, "It's certainly not going to pass this year, but we can do a lot of education" (Salganik, Baltimore Sun, 12/10).