Advisory Group Formed to Help Launch Maryland’s New Easy Enrollment Program

MDHC_Banner1

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