[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6373802,"mediaKeyId","2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb","parentId",2145520,"title","Committee hears HB 345 to join interstate social‑work licensure compact; supporters cite workforce and military family benefits","audioSeconds",1209,"startMs",6791000,"endMs",8000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb&start=6791&end=8000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb/thumbnail_6791000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373802/Maryland/Committee-hears-HB-345-to-join-interstate-socialwork-licensure-compact-supporters-cite-workforce-and-military-family-benefits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373802-973222bcec44c318c3869cd4ccfb5cad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452885&Signature=DHk7EBUoNAT26JU0sj-JtKqg8CobTh2y-ELJhH1szM7xevAIyqoHvTiR7FWvK2D1pow84oShWPYDxQpLeuYejyoeROfIikoFdPxgtcQYrI76bSrmA6Rph1HEatMF4e5LevNC3lfbnD6PVwEzSiOPEzWS-UHjkfTexONWq12Y1q~sunv5~2mjmrIAs6y62SF1sH5n708fkF3DNtMFQgCccD61MXHzkhanMToJ7dBvhWBUZShJL5MpyzUh04U9PjXLRsE-Wfcu3NB-8sndy1GBus~HzVB6UWvaBvg2BIM8yLM0YxBtZLqEnzpU00MxOmlzeRXIn1Et0ixKSj9ObGb9ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Health and Government Operations","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","Delegate Ken Kerr introduced House Bill 345 to align Maryland with the Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact, a multi‑state licensing arrangement administered through a compact commission coordinated by the Council of State Governments. “Approving this interstate social worker compact won’t completely solve the problem, but not joining the compact will certainly make it worse,” Del. Kerr said, citing a Maryland Health Care Commission workforce report that projects large shortfalls in behavioral health workers.

Carissa Proctor, executive director of the Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW‑MD), told the committee the compact would allow licensed social workers to obtain a multistate license to practice across member states without separate, duplicative licensure processes. Dan Martin of the Mental Health Association of Maryland and other witnesses pointed to workforce shortages, declining MSW program completions and the need to retain and recruit qualified social workers.

Supporters also highlighted benefits for military families: Christopher Arnold of the U.S. Department of Defense State Liaison Office said compacts reduce military‑spouse unemployment and ease frequent moves for service families. Several practicing social workers and provider organizations testified in favor and described continuity‑of‑care advantages when therapists and clients move across state lines.

A representative of the Council of State Governments asked for a small technical change to keep compact language consistent across adopting states; the sponsor characterized that amendment as friendly. The committee did not record a vote during the hearing.

Ending: Supporters urged a favorable report; members asked technical questions about how the compact interacts with Maryland’s single‑state licensing requirements and were told the compact does not change a state’s authority over single‑state licenses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HGO Committee Session, 1/23/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Sponsor and social‑work organizations urged Maryland to join the Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact to increase license portability and expand access to behavioral‑health services; the committee did not take a vote and a technical amendment was requested.","taxTitle","Health and Government Operations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15061,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373807,"Department of Aging proposes SOAR program to consolidate three senior service streams",2282,4650000,6932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb&start=4650&end=6932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb/thumbnail_4650000.jpg","/articles/6373807/Maryland/Department-of-Aging-proposes-SOAR-program-to-consolidate-three-senior-service-streams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373807-3a5820ef543a143d77fd071e118fe9b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452885&Signature=OnePFq4cU8BlNN71u0CFR7b2pDhY77SiC06YJAhFJG11~1PZgG8bDI578PMIFWCWpCZjX~hNL0ElZDcNzMaMjOPMcKmhZiVmzoUkz3XM5Fsp7sCDUcNNf8whmEDijM5wC72DhA5Dki7KmEryKPjkW3SPDsy4MVUcSBmVmmN5Alcm2em6xb9g3s4lIK8pcwK655-GBGfxgqbsGPKpnJvWGBrXOuM606ArEEUvmDeEnDSOeCozqbBQr97rx2HL0SU9I2mpHqmwFlzcGI5-hk0iZ0NMkAwRpgXhiFl9xOs7FwPqYYIq9oEhmsSvHUzTq0XZkdBC550m3faIQmpJFTEcxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Secretary Carmel Roque and Department of Aging staff presented House Bill 36 to the Health and Government Operations Committee as a statutory cleanup and program redesign that would consolidate the Congregate Housing Services Program, the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy (SALS) program and the Senior Care Program into a single program tentatively called SOAR — Supporting Older Adults with Resources.

Roque said the consolidated program would move from a location‑based eligibility model (assisted living or congregate housing) to a person‑centered approach that standardizes eligibility, benefits and reporting across Area Agencies on Aging. “At its core our goal is to serve more older Marylanders, not fewer,” she told the committee, and emphasized a delayed effective date to allow stakeholder workgroups and a smooth transition for current participants.

Department and housing officials noted that combined, the three programs amount to roughly $21 million in state funding and serve about 4,000 people. Chuck Cook of DHCD and Camille Dobson of Advancing States supported the consolidation and said similar models exist in other states; Dobson said Advancing States has provided technical assistance to Maryland to design the transition.

Area Agencies on Aging and provider groups voiced conditional support but asked for statutory “hold harmless” language and a clear stakeholder process to ensure no eligible client loses services during transition. Anne Secot of the Maryland Association of Area Agencies on Aging said the parties had been negotiating a transition amendment and expected to finalize language to protect service continuity.

Ending: Committee members asked for engagement details and for the department to work with AAAs and providers during the one‑year transition window; the department offered clarifying amendments and requested a favorable report with amendments.","House Bill 36 would repeal older statutes and combine three state senior programs into a single, person‑centered Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR) program; the department said the change aims to standardize eligibility and reduce administrative burden while preserving services to roughly 4,000 current clients.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373811,"Maryland officials seek to expand Senior Call Check into 'Social Connections' program",1907,2673000,4580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb&start=2673&end=4580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb/thumbnail_2673000.jpg","/articles/6373811/Maryland/Maryland-officials-seek-to-expand-Senior-Call-Check-into-Social-Connections-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373811-789280b6f9e316d3b76d8bb514574319/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452885&Signature=RxPtHFvm70Vcfa5q1k6jo1uKJxz0w8rSDsDv4wuvH3~38keXDs5THj~~1KPHr5HbGKmRd1y0ZM~yEg0KbF0QtS6WePBPU1Fsr~cXR-~9EncLhBW6mKbHs4YlUX-fFyqZcWX8nlZUxIuuBIxLqWRDian2kYU2llwPM5GyfKQB7wSCSgAamj3uJf6aoxM7Ls0ipy1x4DMCdKrmk0Oww2PoqnAvtmH52stxyGvX0jNZmeEaidBIs9QYlL7n~Jfczb36vXH8-ceLMi3zLBrfAIMCAllKHLf6WYv83tneIxusGI2xbi~LbImn6KeEaj-hVJdV9n8w4yaZNb2FnFq53q5bqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Secretary Carmel Roque of the Maryland Department of Aging told the committee House Bill 158 would transform the state’s Senior Call Check safety‑check service into a broader Social Connections program with multiple communication options and expanded accessibility. “The idea is to get away from the idea that it is a call and broaden what this program is for,” Secretary Roque said, describing outreach that found many older adults prefer live calls, text or video.

The bill would authorize the Department of Aging to partner with Telecommunications Access of Maryland (TAM) and the Department of Disabilities to add text, email, live human calls and accessible interfaces for deaf and hard‑of‑hearing residents. David Bahar, director of Telecommunications Access of Maryland, told the committee the funding source is the Universal Service Trust Fund (USTF), a carrier surcharge already collected on communications bills; the department and the Public Service Commission set the surcharge. John Brennan of the Maryland Department of Disabilities explained that the current 5¢ cap on the program’s use of the USTF would be removed, and the surcharge rate used to fund the USTF is projected to rise to 9¢ in FY26 to cover program expenditures across five USTF programs.

Secretary Roque and departmental witnesses said the current Senior Call Check serves about 2,000 older Marylanders and that expanding communication modalities and partnering with local nonprofits, village networks and Area Agencies on Aging could increase enrollment and reduce social isolation. Jonathan Jenkins, Senior Call Check program administrator, described testing that showed many participants wanted human contact and local volunteer involvement.

Advocacy groups and providers voiced support. LeadingAge Maryland, AARP Maryland, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Maryland Association of Area Agencies on Aging urged a favorable report, while several witnesses asked the committee for a clear transition plan to avoid interrupting services for the roughly 4,000 people served across several senior programs.

Ending: Committee members asked for dates and updates from jurisdictions that have passed similar laws and sought assurances about program continuity and fiscal projections before advancing the bill.","Department of Aging and allied agencies told the Health and Government Operations Committee they want to rebrand and broaden Senior Call Check to allow texts, email, live contacts and accessibility options; funding would come from the Universal Service Trust Fund and would remove a prior 5¢ cap.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373815,"Maryland hearing on HB 321 presses PBM oversight, legal limits on ERISA plans",2488,131000,2619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb&start=131&end=2619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145520-dba8220b9c5c0ad1f4232401d4964fdb/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/6373815/Maryland/Maryland-hearing-on-HB-321-presses-PBM-oversight-legal-limits-on-ERISA-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373815-a2e99b0a9a0f09f18eeef0e89ab15ff6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452885&Signature=QkQjYIDddCU~Zkzx~ye7WEHcrHoOfTGk~uZzMj471JzOrAY66yBcaheEWcfpGDM8aGPouDviMWWZtAMA-2WcXEN1Bcm-1ZjrfCbgpiyuW8XLyI3dXavw8vhus57bmz9VWp0mDP1OctNarjC2iOYtwmWuuKSndJwjOw0adbhham-qy3Tg4FWKafLaFlSmCAwm7ETMx8o3BcKsXKIQgX0W6p6jMz0GiHsUwm4ipFgIMfe-j9oX~r9W0MEL-lkQC0YZUOv20282t9WlVTjpYQZ4kvvSiBwWQWwjyIE96v6n5FlDxwf3VdepoqlP7UuES0gBU603~7hckOJRu8K9-D1EMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Michael J. (Del.) Kipke, sponsor of House Bill 321, told the House Health and Government Operations Committee that the bill would extend existing Maryland protections for pharmacies to ERISA plans, arguing the change would let the Maryland Insurance Administration enforce audit and transparency standards across a wider share of the market. “This will put more teeth in our laws,” Del. Kipke said as he opened the hearing.

The bill’s supporters included independent and chain pharmacists who described falling reimbursements, clinic and pharmacy closures and shrinking pharmacy workforces. Michael Patty of Independent Pharmacies of Maryland said owners are “stressed out” and often run stores alone after reduced staffing and shrinking margins. Brian Hose, CEO of Epic Pharmacies, told the panel the Supreme Court’s 2020 rulings made it possible for states to regulate some PBM activity even when ERISA plans are involved and said the bill would help enforce negotiated protections for pharmacies across more of the insurance market.

Opponents warned of legal risk and unintended effects. Mike Johansen of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), representing PBMs, said the bill contains provisions that affect plan administration — for example, choice of pharmacy — and argued federal law limits states’ authority in that area. “There will be challenges,” Johansen said, urging an unfavorable report. Fred Brown of the National Labor Alliance of Healthcare Coalitions told the committee that union trustees who design multi‑state Taft‑Hartley health plans could see their plan‑design authority limited and also urged an unfavorable report.

Committee members pressed both sides about litigation in other states and the possible effect on plan sponsors. Committee Chair Jocelyn Pena Milne and Vice Chair Bonnie Collison asked supporters and opponents to meet with the sponsor to try to refine language; Johansen expressed willingness to discuss specific provisions the PBM industry finds problematic.

The hearing featured repeated references to an October 2024 Federal Trade Commission report that found large PBMs marked up many specialty and generic drugs substantially; witnesses on both sides cited the report to support their positions but disagreed on its interpretation and weight. Del. Kipke and pharmacy witnesses pointed to the FTC finding that affiliated PBM pharmacies generated billions of dollars in dispensing revenue in excess of estimated acquisition cost; PBM representatives described the FTC analysis as preliminary and contested.

No formal vote or action was taken during the hearing; committee members asked staff and stakeholders to continue technical discussions ahead of future committee action.

Ending: The committee concluded the hearing on HB 321 without a vote and moved on to subsequent bills on the agenda. Committee members requested follow‑up information about litigation outcomes in other states and invited PBM and pharmacy representatives to meet with the sponsor to explore compromises or clarifying language.","Sponsor and pharmacy groups urged the Health and Government Operations Committee to expand state oversight of pharmacy benefit managers to apply to ERISA plans; PBM trade group warned of federal preemption and likely litigation. No committee vote was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears HB 345 to join interstate social‑work licensure compact; supporters cite workforce and military family benefits

Department of Aging proposes SOAR program to consolidate three senior service streams

Maryland officials seek to expand Senior Call Check into 'Social Connections' program

Maryland hearing on HB 321 presses PBM oversight, legal limits on ERISA plans