HIE

Maryland Legislature Passes Bill To Create Health Insurance Exchanges.

The Baltimore Sun  (4/6, Walker) reports, "Maryland continued its aggressive implementation of health care change Thursday despite uncertainty surrounding the issue nationally, as the General Assembly passed legislation" necessary "to set up the health benefit exchanges." Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to sign the measure. Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown praised the bill, saying, "Maryland intends to meet federal deadlines for establishing our health benefit exchange and must take steps now in order to utilize over $34 million in federal grants."
        The Washington Business Journal  (4/6, Gantz, Subscription Publication) reports, "The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012 fleshes out many features of the exchange," and "comes after more than a year of planning by advisory committees established by 2011 legislation that set up the framework for the exchange."
        The AP  (4/6) reports, "The measure builds on legislation passed last year to create the health care exchange," by establishing "standards and regulations to run the program."