Maryland Single-Payer bill - SB 388

[Denver Dave]

Maryland Single-Payer bill - SB 388
http://ifawebnews.com/2011/03/03/maryland-bill-to-create-single-payer-system-excludes-insurance-agents/

The Maryland General Assembly has scheduled a March 9 public hearing on a bill that would take a far more aggressive approach toward health reform in the state than passed at the federal level last year.

The bill, SB388, would create a single-payer system to administer all health insurance coverage in Maryland. The public hearing is planned before the Senate Finance Committee, beginning at 1 p.m (March 3, 2011). No action by the Maryland House of Representatives has been scheduled.

For more information about health care reform in Maryland, please see:
http://www.hctalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=1701

[Denver Dave]

1. Maryland bill to create sindle-payer system excludes insurance agents

http://ifawebnews.com/2011/03/03/maryland-bill-to-create-single-payer-system-excludes-insurance-agents/

Strange title - why would a health care system that covers everyone need health insurance agents?

The 27-page bill makes no mention of insurance agents and brokers, and if approved would likely eliminate the need for them. The language of the bill doesn’t clearly explain how those services would be performed.
Eleven senators are sponsoring the bill, the Maryland Health Security Act of 2011, which would establish the Maryland Health System to provide health care services to all residents of the state under a system not dependent on employment. The program would be funded by the state and permit people to access any approved health care provider in the state.

More Maryland information:
http://www.hctalk.com/viewtopic.php?p=1701