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How will the uninsured get care?

In addition, we propose:

Expanding the Small Group Market to include Maryland businesses that employ 100 or fewer people, their employees, and currently insured Marylanders participating in the individual (non-group) market.

Requiring every Maryland business to contribute by either offering quality & affordable health care to their employees or by paying a 5% payroll contribution (8% if the business employs more than 1,000 workers) to help care for the uninsured.

Requiring every Maryland resident to contribute by purchasing quality and affordable health care from their employer or some other private/public source.   Higher income residents who choose to go without health care will pay a tax penalty (~ $600 for individuals and $2600 for families) to help care for the uninsured. 

Reducing the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and others without a drug benefit; for publicly administered benefit programs (e.g., Medicaid); and for county/municipal government benefit plans by establishing a public negotiating pool.   Discounts on out-of-pocket costs for seniors will be up to 35% on most drugs.

Keeping the state's largest health insurer -- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield -- a non-profit entity and reforming it to better serve the public and its subscribers.

The materials in this package come in large part from the past hard work of the Center for Policy Alternatives and the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative.   The Service Centerwould like to thank these two groups for mapping out the high road on providing health care coverage in the states. 

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