Two additional work groups created to improve health plan benefits and affordability
Baltimore (Aug. 7, 2019) – A new advisory work group to help plan and implement Maryland’s new “easy enrollment” program for state tax filers has been created by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE). The work group will advise the MHBE Board of Trustees and other agencies on the rollout of the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program (MEEHP) in spring 2020. Uninsured Marylanders will be notified about their options for free or low-cost health coverage if they indicate on their 2019 state tax return that members of their household lack health insurance. Governor Larry Hogan signed the program into law May 13.
“We value and appreciate the insight of our work group members. They are dedicated to improving the health of Marylanders through strengthening the Maryland Health Connection marketplace, and we thank them for their support,” said MHBE Executive Director Michele Eberle.
The group of volunteers selected to advise on the implementation of the MEEHP are:
NAME | ORGANIZATION |
Alverta Steinwedel | Maryland Society of Accounting and
Tax Professionals |
Benjamin Fulgencio-Turner | Primary Care Coalition |
Betty McGarvie-Crowley | Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry
of Maryland |
Debbie Harrison | National Business Group on Health |
Deborah Rivkin | CareFirst |
Evan Leiter-Mason | CASH Campaign of Maryland (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) |
Iana Capers | Centene |
Jeananne Sciabarra | HealthCare Access Maryland |
Jeffrey Lawson | Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants |
Jen Brock-Cancellieri | United Healthcare Workers |
Kim Cammarata | Health Education and Advocacy Unit,
Office of the Attorney General |
Margaret Murray | Association for Community Affiliated Plans |
Melissa Hurtt | Mother Earth Designs |
Stephanie Klapper | Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative |
Shaunteria Scott | Kaiser Permanente |
Stan Dorn | Families USA |
Tanya Schwartz | Harbage Consulting |
Teresa Healey-Conway | MedChi |
Wandra Ashley-Williams | NAACP |
Maansi Raswant | Maryland Hospital Association |
Alyssa Sinagra | Avery Hall Benefit Solutions |
Debora Gorman | MD Comptroller’s Office |
Anne Klase | MD Comptroller’s Office |
Two other advisory work groups were formed by MHBE to recommend changes to address issues of health insurance affordability and essential health benefits. The State Benchmark Plan work group issued recommendations on whether benchmark plans should be more flexible and responsive to Maryland’s needs. Benchmark plans are used by states to define the essential health benefits that all plans must offer through the marketplace. Read the final report here. The members of the work group are:
NAME | ORGANIZATION |
Kim Cammarata | Health Advocacy and Education Unit, Attorney General’s Office |
Stephanie Klappar | Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative |
Leni Preston | Former president of Consumer Health First |
Jennifer Storm | CareFirst |
Renee Vis | Kaiser Permanente |
Brad Boban | Maryland Insurance Administration |
Laura Pimentel, M.D. | University of Maryland School of Medicine |
Laura Samuel, Ph.D., C.R.N.P. | The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing |
The Affordability Work Group provides recommendations to the MHBE Board of Trustees to help determine policy solutions to reduce out-of-pocket costs and make coverage more affordable, including for households who do not qualify for federal tax credits to lower their monthly premiums. MHBE is seeking public comments on the Draft Affordability Work Group Report until August 30, 2019. Please submit any comments to MHBE.publiccomments@maryland.gov. The members of the work group are:
NAME | ORGANIZATION |
Ken Brannan | Special Olympics Maryland |
Stephanie Klapper | Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative |
Robert Metz | CareFirst |
Holly Mirabella | The CASH Campaign of Maryland (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) |
Maansi Raswant | Maryland Hospital Association |
Kim Rucker | Kaiser Permanente |
Beth Sammis | Former president of Consumer Health First |
Additional Support | |
NAME | ORGANIZATION |
Joseph Fitzpatrick | Maryland Insurance Administration |
Brad Boban | Maryland Insurance Administration |
For more information, visit MarylandHBE.com/Policy-Legislation/Work-Groups