State Expansions: Maryland
On November 19, 2007, during the close of the Maryland Legislature’s special session, the State Assembly passed the Working Families and Small Business Coverage Act of 2007 (SB 6), a proposal that significantly expanded Medicaid eligibility for adults and helped uninsured small businesses afford coverage. Previously, parents could qualify for Medicaid only if their incomes fell below 46 percent of the federal poverty level (about $8,100 per year for a family of three in 2008), and non-disabled childless adults were not eligible for the program, regardless of income.
The Working Families and Small Business Coverage Act expands health coverage access to over 100,000 uninsured Marylanders by increasing the Medicaid income eligibility level for both parents and childless adults to 116 percent of poverty ($20,416 for a family of three and $12,064 for an individual in 2008). The law also provides $15 million in grants to uninsured small businesses that start offering coverage.
The law became effective in July 2008 for low-income parents and uninsured small businesses. The Medicaid expansion to childless adults will be implemented within four years, contingent upon funding and a federal waiver. Adults who become eligible for Medicaid will receive the same benefit package as other Medicaid recipients in the state.
In mid-November 2008, the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative released a proposal to cover all Marylanders that builds on the state's recent progress. The plan would expand Medicaid to parents with income lower 300 percent of poverty ($52,800 for a family of three in 2008), and 200 percent of poverty for non-parent adults ($20,800 for an individual in 2008). It also includes a pooling mechanism for individuals and small businesses that would lower administrative overhead. See the plan summary or full plan for more information.
Maryland Expansion Resources
For general resources on state expansions, see Other Resources.
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