Governor Larry Hogan announced the end of a statewide mask mandate in state buildings this week, following several emergency orders in response to the Omicron variant surge. The mandate will end on Feb. 22, although “masks will continue to be strongly recommended for employees and visitors who are unvaccinated.” The mandate lift would … Read more
A new public service announcement from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) aims to encourage vaccinations among Marylanders by highlighting support from community voices. The 30-second PSA features Baltimore City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President, Reverend Kobi Little, as a GoVAX ambassador. In the video, Rev. Little says … Read more
Burnout continues to impact Maryland’s health workforce, with a number of public health workers and other staff leaving their employment at the Department of Health (MDH). During a recent briefing to state legislators, policy analysts from the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) reviewed MDH’s FY 2022 budget and workforce numbers. The analysis also found a … Read more
Maryland policymakers began the hearing process for several health bills this week during the 2022 legislative session. Here are the latest bills to watch, from increasing reimbursement rates for emergency medical services to newborn screening. H.B. 109 – Maryland Department of Health — System for Newborn Screening — Requirements This bill clarifies that … Read more
Vaccine mandates, issues with vendors, and more put Maryland Secretary of Health Dennis R. Schrader under scrutiny as he updated Senate President Bill Ferguson (D – Baltimore City) and other members of the Senate Vaccine Oversight Workgroup on the state’s response to the Omicron variant late last week. COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached an … Read more
Applications for a grant under the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) closed last month, drawing in requests from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, local health departments, and a number of nonprofit organizations. Forty organizations submitted applications, totaling $42 million in requests. The grant program, called the Pathways to Health Equity Call for … Read more
Governor Larry Hogan issued a number of emergency orders on Tuesday to address rapidly increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maryland. Aside from declaring a state of emergency, the governor called for the creation of alternate care sites, holds on nursing license expirations, and interstate health care license reciprocity. Data from the Department of Health … Read more
A “network security incident” at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has caused delays for the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC), according to an email from MCHRC executive director Mark Luckner this morning. The disturbance came hours before applications were due for a $13 million grant from MCHRC that aims to reduce … Read more
Medicaid reimbursement rates, behavioral health, COVID relief funds, and more are tee’d up in Maryland’s fiscal year 2023 budget plan. The Department of Legislative Services’ Office of Policy Analysis released its Spending Affordability Briefing this month, and outlined appropriations ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Due to an influx of federal aid, such … Read more
Increased Medicaid rates for Maryland’s home and community-based services (HCBS) are going into effect, the Department of Health (MDH) announced this week. HCBS programs provide patient-centered care to individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental diabetes and behavioral health needs. The HCBS increases are as follows: A 5.5 % rate increase for most HCBS … Read more