Maryland Lawmakers Renew Push for Healthcare Access to Undocumented Residents

ANNAPOLIS, MD News (2/18/2024) – In a renewed effort, Maryland lawmakers are advocating for the Access to Care Act, a legislative proposal aimed at extending healthcare access to the state’s undocumented population. Spearheaded by members of the House of Delegates, this initiative mirrors a 2023 bill that gained approval in the House but faced obstacles in the Senate.

The Access to Care Act focuses on allowing undocumented residents in Maryland to purchase private health insurance through the state’s marketplace, challenging existing federal restrictions. Under current laws, undocumented individuals are ineligible for federally funded coverage or ACA Marketplaces, according to KFF, a health policy research organization.

Michele Eberle, executive director for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, emphasized the need for a federal waiver to override these restrictions. She clarified that the waiver, already approved in other states, could enable approximately 300,000 uninsured Marylanders, a third lacking proper documentation, to purchase healthcare coverage.

Del. Bonnie Cullison, the legislator behind the Access to Care Act, highlights the broader benefits. Beyond individual families gaining health coverage, she argues that incorporating more individuals into the insurance pool stabilizes rates and reduces emergency room wait times.

Insurance companies also express support for this expansion, noting the positive impact on their businesses. Del. Ashanti Martinez, a former policy analyst with immigrants’ rights group CASA, underscores the opportunity for hardworking individuals to access healthcare rather than receiving a handout.

However, the Act faces affordability challenges. Senate President Bill Ferguson stresses the importance of addressing the financial aspects, acknowledging that while opening the exchange to all Marylanders is favorable, affordability is a crucial consideration.

The Maryland Department of Health recently discussed potential costs associated with providing healthcare coverage to undocumented residents, estimating millions or even a billion dollars in state funding. Affordability concerns persist, especially given the state’s constrained fiscal year.

Acknowledging these challenges, Del. Cullison mentions that the Access to Care Act includes a provision empowering future legislatures to create subsidies if deemed necessary. Yet, with a challenging budget year ahead, securing state funds for these subsidies in the 2025 budget remains uncertain.

As Maryland strives to navigate fiscal constraints and competing priorities, the Access to Care Act unfolds as a complex and multifaceted proposal, highlighting the intricate interplay between healthcare expansion, financial considerations, and legislative foresight.