2011 MARYLAND ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE RESULTS
When the General Assembly convened in January 2011, they were facing a budget shortfall of approximately $2 billion, leading to a debate about what cuts should be made and what taxes should be raised.
The Budget is balanced through June 30, 2012. General fund balance is $50 million. The Rainy Day fund is $681 million. The budget incorporates over $1 billion in cuts from current-service levels. Cuts include teacher and employee benefits, school systems aid, healthcare providers, and local governments. But the budget leaves a billion-dollar long-term problem for upcoming years.
Preserved funding for Department of Aging and Office of Health Care Quality.
o Launch of a new website “The Maryland Access Point (MAP)” to help older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers and support network locate information and services in Maryland. For information, see: www.marylandaccesspoint.info.
o U.S. Recovery funds help Maryland's seniors, such as eliminate waiting lists for home-delivered meals, create new congregate meal sites in unserved communities and to create jobs for people who work in the program and in the businesses that provide food services to the program.
HB170/SB 183: Health Insurance Plans: Bills require state insurance companies to conform to federal requirements under “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as not requesting information about preexisting conditions and treatments. Health Benefit Exchange Board formed to implement the federal law. Medicare now provides an initial Wellness Exam, has eliminated co-pays and deductibles, and is working to eliminate the prescription coverage gap (donut hole) by 2020. The solvency of Medicare has been extended to 2024.
State Pensions: Review is underway. HB 249/SB 199 State Retirement and Pension System – This bill permits organizations that have as one of their primary purposes representing or providing services to state retirees to make at their own expense two “blind” mailings.
Senior Communities: Grants have been provided for updating and modernizing low-income, senior independent living housing facilities and Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC).
SB 822/HB 1188 Maryland Communities for a Lifetime. There will be an interim study to establish a comprehensive, strategic state plan to address the aging-in-place preference of current and future seniors.
HB 82/SB 203 Health Care Decisions Act – “Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment” Form enabling life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care signed by a physician or nurse practitioner would be valid in all health care facilities.
HB 329/SB 230 Public Information Act –This bill would require custodians of senior center records to deny personal information to those requesting it under the Maryland Public Information Act.
HB 291/SB 308 Medical Marijuana – SB 308 amends the 2003 law so that patients with "clear and convincing evidence" that they need to use marijuana for medical reasons are no longer found guilty and fined $100. A study group will consider more comprehensive legislation for next year.
HB171: Collective Bargaining: Legislation allows collective rights for independent home care providers who are connected to Medicaid waiver and “at-home-aids waiver” programs.
A “Silver Alert” program has been established to ensure that State police take special measures to help find “missing” persons.