[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6367541,"mediaKeyId","2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504","parentId",2158692,"title","Sponsor seeks to add part‑time dentists and hygienists to Maryland DentCare to boost safety-net staffing","audioSeconds",2944,"startMs",3422000,"endMs",6366000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504&start=3422&end=6366","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504/thumbnail_3422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6367541/Maryland/Sponsor-seeks-to-add-parttime-dentists-and-hygienists-to-Maryland-DentCare-to-boost-safety-net-staffing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367541-b6c9cdba85365646842c03884f206165/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201707&Signature=bx2zxnyhZoCbyLrruEIfhE0Q32dshHv0Vq3ohJtokG7OtICNJSPvhnksNPozMbFDByJ2rssTfhBpDXQoKJGnFmAYuwlJvwlck~k~qbyJMRK8quaX4sK1i-mwzxg93XpjLv4YI6FAOf7geRWsL0D0JmI1aL8EojmqhSsrU6boAH52cb11hcMKY0NJGhCA1zUtlEbwePKFj5ArZbbWi9NxyI01sYIn6EXmuvXSTP6Z8XwuQYeVs3Fnvz848JyaDIvgb5g6JtGK8hgw9XzVhmyOH~jf2YnBzGCXXTa00VtHziPYzQ5owR8Qd8NO2bhavKXqJPhYX3plvb~gOMxhCsI2qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Health and Government Operations","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Delegate Heather Bagnell told the Health and Government Operations Committee that House Bill 265 would expand Maryland's Dental Care loan-repayment program to allow part‑time dentists and dental hygienists to qualify for loan-repayment assistance and would ask the Maryland Insurance Administration to study whether insurers are using online credentialing platforms.

Supporters — including CEOs of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and dental‑access coalitions — said the change would help recruiting for safety‑net providers that frequently rely on part‑time clinicians for flexibility (childcare, physical demands of procedures, or to extend careers). Witnesses argued part‑time eligibility is a standard feature of many clinician loan‑repayment programs and would expand the pool of available providers for Medicaid adults and other underserved patients.

Key testimony and points raised:
- Sponsor's intent: Delegate Bagnell said HB 265 expands the pool of eligible applicants but does not add to the program's funding; the bill allows the Office of Student Financial Assistance, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, to prorate awards for part‑time participants.
- Safety‑net employers: FQHC leaders (Maryland Community Health System, CCI Health Services) said part‑time loan repayment is a critical recruitment tool and would create a more robust applicant pool for clinics serving Medicaid and uninsured patients. They described situations where two part‑time hygienists cover three full‑time positions and where full‑time compensation offers in private practice outpace safety‑net wages.
- Study of credentialing: Supporters asked the Maryland Insurance Administration to study insurers' use of online credentialing platforms, citing delays caused by inconsistent or manual credentialing practices.

Opposition and concerns: The Maryland State Dental Association and affiliated oral-surgery and hospital groups urged an unfavorable report or changes, citing limited program funding and program design priorities. Opposition witnesses said:
- Current funding levels are small relative to workforce needs (witnesses cited roughly 17 dentists currently in the program and noted dozens of applicants; stakeholders said only a small number of awards were made in recent rounds).
- Opening eligibility to part‑time providers risks diluting scarce funds that the opponents argued should prioritize full‑time clinicians who they say are more likely to establish permanent community ties.
- Several opponents argued that, as written, the bill may still include limited‑license holders (internationally trained dentists) and urged careful statutory drafting.

The committee heard both favorable and unfavorable panels and asked the sponsor and agencies to continue discussions on study language and program design. No formal committee action occurred during the hearing.

Provenance: Testimony for HB 265 began when the committee called the panel (block starting at 3422.03) and the sponsor's primary remarks began at 3479.93; the hearing included multiple supportive and opposing witnesses and concluded after later panels (closing remarks near 6366.92).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HGO Committee Session, 1/28/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 265 would allow part‑time dentists and dental hygienists to qualify for Maryland's loan‑repayment grants for providers who serve Medicaid or underserved populations, and would direct a study of dental insurers' credentialing platforms, supporters told a legislative committee.","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},6367548,"Panel backs expanding nursing loan-repayment eligibility and extending Board of Nursing oversight under House Bill 19",1772,1589000,3361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504&start=1589&end=3361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504/thumbnail_1589000.jpg","/articles/6367548/Maryland/Panel-backs-expanding-nursing-loan-repayment-eligibility-and-extending-Board-of-Nursing-oversight-under-House-Bill-19","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367548-1e7cda03b97d3c38b21f439dd3187604/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201707&Signature=T9NPc8JXB9Y~kz~JpVJJ3Dp6TQAE13hOVSBeoFA0f54Av5~Mr9qljyG62doQhYHZyqZO6-xJLANqfeW8vHp4eeZMAuN7vJveA1jR1XJzkRr2tLLceMG0x~VcWVpoUizoSwZi2JtQE5A8SB0oQA-yoeFt4t0E~MxUbSPAYy8zp51LiBloAvNSNzywsFfeRiB0gAhp-Ev8VeJIxclmd5uLnSul8bjL26vThuHsVCB2BdqoNSifS02QuUsuU9wMXzlW1C4WSqQAYFcUKWL~zZJtVo1RLEkKE2I84vq5zoTos92JNBguRXLVp~LJzOciNvCU7~SHA8buNfqy4~zu6mUeSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 19 would expand the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program (MLARP) and extend the Board of Nursing's sunset and the Secretary of Health's authority over certain board infrastructure operations, the Maryland Department of Health told the Health and Government Operations Committee.

Deputy Secretary Naresh Kalyanaraman said the bill would expand eligible fields of employment to include practitioners working in for‑profit settings that contract with underserviced sites — for example where corrections or other facilities rely on contracted providers — and could permit inclusion of certain specialty practitioners, such as nurse anesthetists, \"if funding is available.\" The department initially proposed removing nursing support staff but reported it received stakeholder requests to retain that eligibility and said it submitted an amendment to keep nursing support staff in the program.

Rhonda Scott, executive director of the Maryland Board of Nursing, said the bill would continue the department's authority over the board's infrastructure and human-resources operations for an additional five years. She described improvements since 2023 — upgraded IT, increased staffing and shorter processing times — and said continued partnership with the department is needed to finish a major IT licensure-system upgrade and to resolve findings from prior program evaluations.

Committee discussion and public testimony focused on several implementation details:
- Testing backlog for nursing assistants: Committee members and board staff discussed difficulties with the current vendor for competency testing (candidates have a 120‑day window to take an exam or must repeat training). The board said it is procuring an additional vendor, working with the current vendor's action plan, and has asked for a count of candidates awaiting testing to prioritize scheduling. The department reported CMS indicated no waiver exists for the 120‑day testing window.
- Preceptor tax credit hours: Several witnesses and stakeholders urged changing the nurse preceptor tax credit threshold from 100 hours to 90 hours to align with COMAR's academic-credit equivalence (45 clinical hours equals one academic credit). Multiple organizations signaled support for a 90‑hour amendment as a practical measure to increase use of the tax credit.
- Program funding and sunset extension: The department said it recommends extending the sunset for the secretary's authority through June 30, 2030, to allow continued operational improvements and evaluation; members asked staff to follow up on fiscal-note details for FY2026 and ongoing fee/regulatory actions.

Labor, hospital, and union stakeholders testified with amendments: 1199 SEIU requested priority funding for long-term-care workers and additional training support for nursing support staff; the Maryland Hospital Association submitted a friendly amendment proposing a standing advisory council for the loan-repayment program; other supporters urged flexibility to reach underserved areas.

The hearing closed with the department offering to work with legislators and stakeholders on amendments and data follow-ups.

Provenance: The HB 19 departmental panel began with the committee calling the panel (block starting at 1554.645) and Deputy Secretary Kalyanaraman's opening remarks began at 1596.8799; public testimony and committee questioning continued through blocks ending near 3360.7952 when the hearing closed.","House Bill 19 would expand eligibility for Maryland's nurse loan-repayment program to some practitioners working for for-profit contractors in underserved settings, retain nursing support staff eligibility, and extend MDH oversight of the Board of Nursing's infrastructure for five more years, department officials told committee members.",{"_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},6367554,"Delegate seeks to add licensed physical therapist assistant to board, switch notices to email in House Bill 3",242,1312000,1554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504&start=1312&end=1554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504/thumbnail_1312000.jpg","/articles/6367554/Maryland/Delegate-seeks-to-add-licensed-physical-therapist-assistant-to-board-switch-notices-to-email-in-House-Bill-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367554-a7e63e69bc42f9ae3c80ab7a10e3f395/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201707&Signature=EYb8-J7~8tBnjShbzI34t52s86qOsBV3Pjy9pgiWXb0zoa9TXlrEpcoo5GH~XF7kxUw~3PmNhsDIf5vuYeDsWUWKyAfWRQsN7lmsRaaBu4Fand-hc~xzuK6cDcdF2RfYiALN1BClnBjQgv238LLJpI1QueGGJAPM4BrtkM4o5rrkHLtfOku4ox~bTjNrS2pA6Xz~BMMoyfrOLqO0hRdwoRRjxyqpu1JWCxfXjH~zkM2diTi0hh9Lc0LApvldycsUnTnWeb9G37hxhCSZhRaCkOJEwYEWlXpfe5f0wDM2eXR5ahJCsMe2PuXLcm42XOfA4txwSkDWY5eSvBKNFTHh3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Heather Bagnell told the Health and Government Operations Committee that House Bill 3 is a ‘‘simple modernization’’ of the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners that clarifies who is a licensed physical therapist assistant, adds an assistant to the board and shifts the default method of communication to email.

The bill would expand board membership by one seat that must be filled by a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA). Lori Kendall Ellis, speaking for the board, said the change would improve workforce representation: the board’s present membership balance is roughly five therapists to one assistant and the requested change would move the ratio nearer to the workforce mix, which the board characterized as about 75% physical therapists and 25% physical therapist assistants.

Proponents said moving license renewal notices to electronic delivery (email unless otherwise requested) would reduce cost and improve timeliness; the board reported a 99% open rate when it already sends emails to licensees. The board also emphasized the change would have minimal fiscal impact because the board is self-funded and that savings from electronic communications would offset any added member expense.

No opposition was raised during the committee hearing; the bill sponsor and board representatives fielded no substantive questions and the hearing concluded.

Provenance: Delegate Heather Bagnell introduced House Bill 3 at the start of the item (block beginning 1312.52) and board testimony and questions occurred in the block range beginning 1431.385 through the close of the item at 1554.645.","House Bill 3 would update the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners by clarifying definitions, adding a licensed physical therapist assistant member and changing default communications from postal mail to email, which proponents said improves efficiency and equity.",{"_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},6367559,"Department seeks operational updates to Maryland service-year program, including expanded eligibility and fund consolidation",830,456000,1286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504&start=456&end=1286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6367559/Maryland/Department-seeks-operational-updates-to-Maryland-service-year-program-including-expanded-eligibility-and-fund-consolidation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367559-d55a93bf6afb7c964a5904a04c8d1f45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201707&Signature=dIyvc5Flkbqv68KTSkxmM79Hp4RzCWfZm5bHU2axG6-pPQUjaeo~DHDtAc9qC2lC42rtPaZXbJUk0JJ7Fw1b0KeBwfGnEcZ2Xh7hkZYApT5mwHR4WMXeSzFHg10S8JCWBIStbhK4ugwNhiUaMp5vcH9qzxkEyn0AAlrG-bi0G-WPcOGKHFXKXtMDPSAzwUoX11W0b4P1RvbmFSXe3jFA7uNZfIvFFsY9ohD9oJTDci1dgjtu~m-FhgXM5UuR~jklGXVO8hk3KZ4iSqdNoyJERmO1t-4RkPyUF8Vh3Fs4D~BWoJkVcwlvtY-KABI8VzSzt0P4QXEllEtALfOKHtgD1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 33, offered by the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI), would make operational changes to the SERVE Act programs known as the Maryland Service Year and the Young Adult Service Year Option Pathway.

Secretary Paul Montero, Deputy Secretary Sarah Flaman and other department staff told the Health and Government Operations Committee the bill is the department's first substantive update since its creation in April 2023 and is intended to be cost-neutral. The department said the changes would streamline administration while expanding access for participants.

Key provisions and context: DSCI asked the committee to:
- Expand the age eligibility window for the young-adult service-year option pathway from a floor that had been interpreted as 18–21 to a proposed 18–24 range, aligning the program with other efforts targeting opportunity youth.
- Consolidate two separate program funds (the Maryland Service Year Option Pathway Fund and the Young Adult Service Year Option Pathway Fund) into a single program fund to increase flexibility in spending between pathways without seeking additional general funds.
- Adjust statutory wage language so that the program floor respects higher local jurisdiction minimum wages where applicable, ensuring participants are not disadvantaged in higher-paying locales.
- Remove the statutory requirement that the $6,000 completion award be payable only via a Maryland 529 plan option; DSCI explained Maryland 529 requires deposits be made by account owners with after-tax dollars and that the statutory deposit option proved operationally unworkable. The department said it will continue to help members open 529 accounts as an option.

Program metrics cited in testimony: The department said more than 200 members completed the inaugural class and received a $6,000 completion award; 170+ participants earned U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship credentials and over 42,000 hours of technical training. The second cohort launched September 11 at the University of Maryland College Park with nearly 600 members representing every Maryland county and Baltimore City and serving at nearly 200 host sites.

Deputy Secretary Flaman told the committee the consolidation is intended to reduce administrative burden and allow DSCI to allocate funds more efficiently; the department's fiscal note indicates the change is cost-neutral in operation though it may reduce general-fund transactions by allowing combined-pathway resources to be used across streams.

Committee members asked for enrollment detail and geographic breakdowns; DSCI said it can provide zip-code-level data and noted class three recruitment will open next month.

The department urged a favorable report on HB 33; the hearing closed after committee questions and a brief recess.

Provenance: Testimony introducing HB 33 begins with the committee calling the departmental panel (block starting at 435.87) and the department's lead testimony began at 470.56 (Secretary Paul Montero). The department's concluding remarks and closure of the hearing occurred at 1286.65.","The Department of Service and Civic Innovation asked the Health and Government Operations Committee to approve technical, cost-neutral changes in House Bill 33: raise the young-adult eligibility, consolidate two program funds, update wages for local jurisdictions, and remove an inoperable Maryland 529 deposit option.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6367564,"Acting commissioner asks committee to hold House Bill 116 amid federal regulation uncertainty",115,170000,285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504&start=170&end=285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158692-8c50ee079fd0538f275de074ca845504/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6367564/Maryland/Acting-commissioner-asks-committee-to-hold-House-Bill-116-amid-federal-regulation-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367564-3773a7a35c19944ad62b999860ac9af6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201707&Signature=f7HNXt1kI~UUw4ua0~pwAsKTuqkmL8ZCuZKwRgznO31QnUX0mRE8JsEZnrOCRip-2CN5GgU~gbIjCrFOnX861wHnrUzo98csjwStkYvs9P8jCEhrLoco-VUOJk~Wp6nL~PCSN0fG4T6n-ai-x9IXVvbRhiIK9xq431Pp161Mzw4aZNPrywPyOiCZW6LOgC2o5qhD7fzfpnL9gmMqkWobHAFQwbk19YxQCKogTz7D4Or3lz6f1p7dtrAVIrYsJtGuVmMjy8l6U5bvXBG4AsYK0Hk2P9EqiO896cPRe5Ic4hMziQUhwYxrlNR4mhi-jmfgMcB3O2rb9H6gGZXkgB8cxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 116 — a departmental bill to align Maryland's health insurance notice rules with a recent federal regulation for hospital indemnity coverage — drew a request for more time from Acting Commissioner Marie Grant during a Health and Government Operations Committee hearing.

Grant said Maryland law already contains strong notice protections and that a recent lower-court ruling has called the federal regulation underlying HB 116 into question. She asked the committee to allow the department time to consult with the Attorney General's Office and to consider amendments rather than move hastily to adopt the federal language.

Why it matters: HB 116 would tie state notice requirements for limited \"hospital indemnity\" products — not major medical coverage — to updated federal guidance. Grant told the committee the bill's substantive changes are intended to align state and federal definitions and notice requirements but cautioned that the federal rule has been the subject of litigation since the bill was filed.

In committee, Grant said the department is working with the Attorney General's Office, which submitted a letter of concern in the bill file, and recommended a \"favorable with amendments\" posture while discussions continue. Vice Chair Collison asked whether the committee could proceed now or wait for the federal court process; Grant replied the department preferred time to reconcile Maryland's existing protections with the newly promulgated federal requirements.

No formal action was taken during the hearing. Committee staff confirmed the Attorney General's letter has been received and the department remains in communication with the office.

The hearing on HB 116 concluded after departmental testimony and a brief round of questions.

Provenance: Testimony introducing HB 116 began at the committee's announcement of the bill order and the department's remarks (transcript blocks starting at 170.04 and Marie Grant's remarks beginning at 236.81). The department's final remarks on the bill and closure of the hearing occurred at the committee's statement that the bill hearing had concluded (block beginning 435.87).","Acting Commissioner Marie Grant told the Health and Government Operations Committee that House Bill 116, which would align Maryland notice requirements for hospital indemnity coverage with a recent federal regulation, should be considered with amendments or delay after a federal court ruling cast doubt on that regulation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsor seeks to add part‑time dentists and hygienists to Maryland DentCare to boost safety-net staffing

Panel backs expanding nursing loan-repayment eligibility and extending Board of Nursing oversight under House Bill 19

Delegate seeks to add licensed physical therapist assistant to board, switch notices to email in House Bill 3

Department seeks operational updates to Maryland service-year program, including expanded eligibility and fund consolidation

Acting commissioner asks committee to hold House Bill 116 amid federal regulation uncertainty