[{"_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",6364018,"mediaKeyId","2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a","parentId",2165445,"title","Maryland hearing spotlights push for universal newborn nurse home visits to reduce maternal and infant harms","audioSeconds",2665,"startMs",253000,"endMs",2918000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a&start=253&end=2918","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a/thumbnail_253000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364018/Maryland/Maryland-hearing-spotlights-push-for-universal-newborn-nurse-home-visits-to-reduce-maternal-and-infant-harms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364018-f7eac3d8daacb01c28af2781bdd3ddb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188442&Signature=j6j2nIApML9FaER7MIw4EYMMecVrKgmFN9JtjANRjQscPhvbu5SBTfZxJ-3Y3lRPelaShsNQ-DT0bX-WF3h2yjcMAUn0KpukreET3zwYwBlAH6CSP0KvrA18JCgSZOb3-Q0W1CuPl9iIrhaKJ2seuP0W7ZGyeRdgRcPVtgpWmNXEi4YVpGgWtZWoOoXPXlnKek9VMsEbs8y8ksXAoK9nstjiPxE9~6KMQusqtJu72io0Q5LVyoCkM14OHSgdcJUxTjdnxVtZEZrmVaYGjIneZUTHXyLZrlqwOk4zu~5D4kDzG66MG09P~L3RedS6iDuREMuSjEjJhllua1Py6k43Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Health and Government Operations","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Delegate Ken Kurt, sponsor of House Bill 334, told the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Jan. 23 that he wants Maryland to plan for universally offered newborn nurse home visits and insurance coverage for the service.

Kurt said the bill would direct the Maryland Department of Health to create a plan to offer a nurse home visit to every family with a newborn, noting the visits would be voluntary and that some local pilots already exist. \"The nurse is not the newborn,\" Kurt said, explaining the program pairs a trained registered nurse with families to assess infant and parental health, link families to services and reduce stigma by offering the visit to all families.

Advocates and local officials described Frederick County’s Family Connects pilot as evidence the model can detect and address urgent clinical needs after hospital discharge. Former Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner, who helped fund the Frederick pilot with ARPA dollars, said the program produced data showing reductions in emergency room use and maternal depression. Catherine Dorsey, a mother who received a home visit in Frederick, recounted that a visiting nurse identified high blood pressure after delivery and urged her to contact her OB — a step that led to treatment. \"Without Lori's care, I wouldn't have known about my blood pressure. I could have died,\" Dorsey testified.

Proponents cited multiple outcomes from existing Family Connects evaluations: about a 50% reduction in infant emergency department visits and overnight stays in the first year, a 39% reduction in child‑protective investigations through age 5, and lower maternal depression and anxiety rates. Kurt and others noted that maternal mortality and severe postpartum complications occur in the weeks after discharge; the committee heard that roughly 24% of pregnancy‑related maternal deaths in Maryland happen within the first 42 days postpartum.

Supporters asked the committee to approve the sponsor’s amendment to convene two work groups — one focused on Medicaid and one on private insurers — to study financing options, program alignment with existing home‑visiting services and barriers to scaling Family Connects statewide. \"We chose work group rather than study to avoid a fiscal note,\" Kurt said.

Opponents raised privacy and scope concerns. Jonathan Alexander of Maryland Family Institute testified against the bill, arguing that universal offers of home visits could feel coercive and that the bill does not specify how medical and social information collected during visits would be protected. He warned that outreach could become conflated with requirements if communications are unclear.

Committee members pressed staff and witnesses about funding options and existing state programs. Several lawmakers referenced recent state appropriations for maternal and child health and asked whether those funds or federal home‑visiting reauthorization grants might be used to expand services. Witnesses and the sponsor said some federal and state funding streams could contribute but that Family Connects is a short, universal nursing visit model distinct from long‑term, intensive home visiting models that are prioritized in some federal programs.

The hearing record shows the sponsor is pursuing a work‑group approach this session rather than immediate statewide implementation. No formal committee vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.

Ending: The committee heard 12 live and multiple virtual witnesses on HB 334 and the sponsor said he would work with staff, the Department of Health and interested members to refine the amendment and financing approach; the committee did not take a final vote that day.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HGO Committee Session, 1/29/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Delegate Ken Kurt proposed House Bill 334 to have Maryland plan for universally offered newborn nurse home visits, telling the House Health and Government Operations Committee that the voluntary, nurse‑led Family Connects model can detect postpartum risks and connect families to services.","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},6364003,"Committee hears proposal to cover self‑measured blood‑pressure monitoring for Medicaid recipients, emphasizing maternal health benefits",890,9554000,10444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a&start=9554&end=10444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a/thumbnail_9554000.jpg","/articles/6364003/Maryland/Committee-hears-proposal-to-cover-selfmeasured-bloodpressure-monitoring-for-Medicaid-recipients-emphasizing-maternal-health-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364003-d1776da108c0a86cb2377fafe672b1dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188442&Signature=fM0G~9bFI6dy86qYztbB40mFdJD3whmKyQ18KpACW-FpWP1WibS61PmvKWsaFqMdupVQg3G62bhmHYTPUyOEE30zZZigU3sLAHVLgVL~I2cdy~n4LxcNLjdTe0yBoHW5RaGwEVk5OXeguVBD7IfhuskeLkrdGjAu1tZV28O9RXXvt6Gv6IHQd8a-1bpOKX7tUGyLEE8rFNBw57xwRFS1Npg-BCk6~PNs5SJUX~K2UvJODZ9GMXw1j5KXhUKIiTpNyX6yM3c7fojLUyNy8aaRf9a2CMIRuSiy2nQEtMG-kXYUFeG3-Be104oyKJZ-QtRhdEhESEQd5O8RBcuCBXewMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate F. Averas presented House Bill 553, a proposal to extend Maryland Medical Assistance coverage to validated self‑measured blood‑pressure monitors and supporting services for eligible recipients, including pregnant and postpartum individuals and people with chronic conditions.

Supporters described the proposal as a practical step to detect and manage hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and chronic hypertension earlier. Kristen Galtney of Total Healthcare noted that 8%–16% of pregnant people experience high blood pressure during pregnancy and that about 24% of pregnancy‑related deaths in Maryland occur between 7 and 42 days postpartum — a window in which many new mothers have no clinical contact other than a single six‑week postpartum visit. \"Providing coverage for self measured blood pressure monitoring provides additional support for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid recipients who are at a greater risk for a life of negative health outcomes caused by unmanaged high blood pressure,\" Galtney said.

Researchers with Johns Hopkins described program experience pairing validated monitors with community health worker support and clinical follow‑up. Dr. Yvonne Commodore‑Mensah, a cardiovascular epidemiologist, said monitoring plus coaching and pharmacist support improved adherence and clinical management in community programs. The sponsor and witnesses argued the policy could reduce severe maternal morbidity and mortality and help address racial disparities in maternal outcomes.

Committee members asked about a Department of Health information letter and suggested technical amendments. The sponsor said she accepted two DOH amendments intended to clarify device definitions and to remove an education mandate; that change, she said, would remove a large fiscal item from the department’s fiscal estimate. The committee did not vote on the bill that day.

Ending: Witnesses urged the committee to approve Medicaid coverage for home blood‑pressure monitors and wraparound support, arguing early detection can avert severe complications and reduce disparities in maternal health; technical and fiscal details remained subject to amendment and negotiation.","House Bill 553 would require Maryland Medical Assistance to cover validated home blood‑pressure monitors and related support services for eligible recipients, including pregnant and postpartum individuals; sponsors and clinicians said home monitoring could detect hypertensive disorders earlier and reduce maternal mortality disparities.",{"_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},6364009,"Bill would statutorily standardize forensic review boards and conditional‑release oversight after concerns about transparency and beds",1303,6052000,7355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a&start=6052&end=7355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a/thumbnail_6052000.jpg","/articles/6364009/Maryland/Bill-would-statutorily-standardize-forensic-review-boards-and-conditionalrelease-oversight-after-concerns-about-transparency-and-beds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364009-d4bd2beabbdf327fc113259656edcab6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188442&Signature=nl8YnQnYoB74H3e7zYdXHId8cXfu426YRHea0vXQ3jPvw3Y6zgTh4wKzfee1qxdHex47S5UniKUmbPkgwgxid1m4qUgSthdo85MP8F56-ijqeYjiE-YU34DZSxbcHDWVqk598EKAaS95oD1DaHq6mgqekfscW3KNENtx5UGLK6o8S8qY6kUZy~LwU207PllAlZUHQrswKSn-6BYlaWrDNzREl9rZRG0qklKQuyVHN1P1j7NLYs5ofiSopfL9eUKNK6KHcXZDBk73t7Hx88v7H5TV6dtb9viXHZSDXJyjdIbwYwGDH-rZd65CEaNMRWr5OOTprGR7fxK28D5lAANqJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Lori Chercuttian presented House Bill 32 to the committee as an effort to codify and standardize processes that currently vary across Maryland forensic hospitals for people found not criminally responsible (NCR).

The sponsor said the goal was accountability and transparency for the forensic review board (FRB) processes that recommend conditional release and for the community forensic aftercare program (CFAP) that supervises people on conditional release. \"I wanted to tighten up the statute around it,\" Chercuttian said, describing cases where families and constituents could not clearly trace the path from treatment team recommendation through the FRB, administrative hearings and conditional release.

Public Defender Office attorneys told the committee that FRB procedures differ by hospital and sometimes substitute the board’s opinion for that of a treatment provider. Sanjay Varghese of the Public Defender’s Office urged establishing a non‑treating clinical reviewer for FRB recommendations so the treating psychiatrist’s therapeutic relationship is preserved and clinical judgments remain independent.

Disability Rights Maryland and NAMI Maryland supported the bill; Disability Rights asked for an amendment requiring FRBs to document hospital obligations and who will guarantee timely access to required treatment that enables safe discharge. Representatives of CFAP and a Baltimore City assistant state's attorney warned that some proposed restrictions could reduce CFAP’s ability to implement treatment plan enhancements that avoid readmission. An assistant state's attorney said CFAP’s current ability to recommend enhancements has in several recent cases prevented the office from seeking hospital warrants; she testified that limiting CFAP’s role could increase hospital warrants and pressure on scarce beds.

Sponsor and witnesses acknowledged a fiscal note and concerned letters from the Department of Health about timelines for record production; the sponsor said many FRBs and CFAP exist today and she intended to work with the department on language and timing issues.

Ending: Supporters said statutory standards would make review and conditional release more transparent and consistent; prosecutors and the Department of Health urged careful drafting to avoid unintended bed pressure or operational burdens. The committee did not vote during the hearing.","House Bill 32 would place forensic review boards and community forensic aftercare program (CFAP) standards into statute to increase transparency and consistent processes for people found not criminally responsible; public defenders and advocates supported statutory clarity, prosecutors warned some changes could increase hospital readmissions.",{"_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},6364014,"Committee hears bill to standardize hospital financial assistance, ban small‑debt suits and curb medical debt reporting",1665,4340000,6005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a&start=4340&end=6005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165445-8e841175b4dcd2566c5b138a3275c91a/thumbnail_4340000.jpg","/articles/6364014/Maryland/Committee-hears-bill-to-standardize-hospital-financial-assistance-ban-smalldebt-suits-and-curb-medical-debt-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364014-e54a2750d5511fba3ff8add5313a59d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188442&Signature=XekhWyCAZPzEgdR3np6WxS256L0uPf2CVNhH5o3eIYhpI0G2wuNhlOpOL695sn6NgXvGcX5KSj2mVv0xIKwu1P~ceNK2gqaumi40wM9zSppzYl7n6M5DWBZUM5xkBfjGatf57wGWI-7vwt8s3FdEVFPmpOMnlqkzCMprfEC2Cup-0vzQ-Oy2km5K3s3Vck03LTZsQKq5OU1vUdON0yr5WWFd9YA8Yf-a6RXdXGSu3AqAbWpWPUMclBfIP6LV0FbDebJ5i6Lb03DCMg7bcF8p89-WEy8VIixGR6ARdK-aGMXoIimpo6Q1DYdhveLky0r2hbvbvXKhG2is3KgKyHe09Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Laura Chercuttian told the committee that House Bill 268 aims to tighten Maryland hospital financial assistance policies and reduce medical debt harms, proposing four main changes: set minimum floors for reduced‑cost care between 200% and 500% of the federal poverty level; prohibit hospitals from reporting medical debt to consumer credit agencies; ban lawsuits for medical debt under $500; and bar hospitals from using a \"signed under seal\" clause that extends statutes of limitation.

Supporters including Maryland Legal Aid, Economic Action Maryland and Progressive Maryland said the bill would prevent patients from being surprised by bills and from having small medical accounts balloon into long‑lasting judgments. William Steinwoldle of Maryland Legal Aid described a client forced into bankruptcy after a judgment and noted Maryland’s 10% post‑judgment interest can quickly increase a debt. \"Just because something starts at a low amount doesn't mean it stays there,\" he told the committee.

Megan Renfrew of the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) testified that the bill would improve fairness by standardizing discounts across hospitals. HSCRC said increased financial assistance might be offset by lower bad‑debt expenses and that its rate‑setting policies would automatically adjust hospital revenue to cover allowed increased costs.

Hospital representatives raised concerns in written testimony over costs and operational burdens. Committee members asked about the fiscal note and how much any increase in uncompensated care would raise Medicaid and state expenditures; HSCRC explained it could not precisely model costs without additional data and provided a rough proportion example. Delegate Chercuttian said she sought more information from hospitals and would work with stakeholders to refine cost estimates.

The sponsor also noted an amendment in the packet to prohibit signing under seal and clarified the bill would require hospitals to obtain a signed acknowledgment from patients that they received notice of financial assistance policies during intake.

Ending: Supporters argued HB 268 would reduce predatory collection practices and increase transparency; opponents warned of costs and operational impacts. The committee heard multiple public witnesses and HSCRC; no final vote occurred during the hearing.","House Bill 268 would set minimum reduced‑cost floors for hospital financial assistance, prohibit reporting small medical debts to credit agencies and ban suits under $500; advocates said the bill would reduce medical debt harms, hospitals warned about fiscal impacts and scope.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Maryland hearing spotlights push for universal newborn nurse home visits to reduce maternal and infant harms

Committee hears proposal to cover self‑measured blood‑pressure monitoring for Medicaid recipients, emphasizing maternal health benefits

Bill would statutorily standardize forensic review boards and conditional‑release oversight after concerns about transparency and beds

Committee hears bill to standardize hospital financial assistance, ban small‑debt suits and curb medical debt reporting