Healthcare Task Force: More News You Can Use!
State Priority Bills Update
Health Insurance Reform: Did you know that when people carry all the way though on appealing care and claim denials there’s a better than 50% chance that they win a reversal?? The problem is the carriers make it so hard to appeal - it’s time consuming and confusing. They need to make it easier! That’s what our Appeals Reform Bill will do! HB1341
A hearing on this bill is set in the HGO Committee for Thursday, March 6th at 1:00. Stay tuned for our hearing plans and for links to generate constituent emails to the committee.
Hospital Accountability: Maryland has the longest Emergency Room wait times in the country! This has been the case for 8 years running. It’s time to address the chronic hospital staffing shortages fueling the problem–front line workers and patients can’t wait any longer. The Safe Staffing Bill of 2025 takes a great first step! House Bill 905 is scheduled for a hearing this Friday, February 21st at 2:00. We will be submitting favorable testimony tomorrow (due by 6:00 p.m.) and welcome our members to join us. Here’s the bill:
HB905/SB720 Safe Staffing (Hospitals) Act of 2025 requiring hospitals to maintain a clinical staffing committee and to implement a clinical staffing plan.
Federal Budget and Healthcare Fight: Our priority is stopping the dangerous Trump Musk plan to slash Medicaid, Medicare, the ACA and other health programs.Join us, People’s Action and other allies next Wednesday February 26th in D.C. Sign up here.
For questions and requests, contact Patty at [email protected]
Environmental Justice: RREA Rally & Final Hearing & Media Attention
Progressive Maryland, in collaboration with its coalition partners—including Clean Water Action, South Baltimore Community Land Trust, Coal Free Curtis Bay, CASA, Food & Water Watch, and various other grassroots organizations—convened for a significant rally advocating for the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025. Despite the cold weather, I had the privilege of co-emceeing the event alongside SB7 President Michael Middleton. As the rally drew to a close, Senator Bill Ferguson, the primary sponsor, along with Delegate Vaughn, the House sponsor, emphasized the critical need for legislators to support the passage of the RREA. This essential measure would ultimately alleviate the $25 million annual financial burden that incinerator companies impose on our frontline communities in South Baltimore.
MEDIA COVERAGE: CBS News and WBALTV were present at the rally to capture the vibrant atmosphere of the event. After the rally, residents from South Baltimore and supporters of the RREA provided testimonies advocating for the RREA before the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee. Fortunately, our bill was the first item addressed at the start of the hearing. You can view it here. During the hearing, you will notice that Mary Urban, representing Win Waste, makes baseless claims regarding incineration as a renewable process. Senator Ferguson also provided testimony alongside us, which greatly strengthened our collective arguments in support of the RREA.
Should you be able to participate in the final HB220 hearing alongside Progressive Maryland and its partners this Thursday, February 20 at 1pm, kindly register for the event using the link provided here. Additionally, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or contact me at 240-883-7645.
