Author: PCG | Posted: 6. August 2010 05:00

Maryland’s Health Care Reform Coordinating Council released an interim report to Governor Martin O’Malley on July 26. The Council’s interim report includes an overview of state opportunities and challenges presented by the federal health care reform law; the unique attributes of Maryland’s health care delivery system and regulatory environment; longstanding Maryland programs (such as small group health insurance market reforms, premium assistance for small businesses, safety net coverage, and high risk pools) which the state can build on as it implements the federal health care reform law; the open, public process through which the Council will formulate recommendations; and an initial timeline for state planning and implementation activities. The Council identifies six work groups, open to public participation, that will be responsible for research and analysis in areas critical to the successful implementation of federal health care reform in Maryland in 2014.  Appropriate planning, design, development, and implementation of health insurance purchasing exchanges is identified as the first of Maryland’s priorities. The Council will complete its next report and its recommendations to Governor O’Malley by January 1, 2011.