A Public-Private Partnership for Health Care for All Marylanders: Cost and Coverage Impacts Analysis
October 2003
Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative Education Fund
Lewin contact: John Sheils
In December of 2002, the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative Education Fund Inc., released a plan to provide health insurance coverage to all Marylanders. The program requires all Maryland residents to obtain a minimum level of health insurance coverage for themselves and their children or pay a substantial tax penalty. To assist the low-income population, the program also provides subsidized coverage to adults living below 350 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and children living below 400 percent of the FPL. In addition, the program requires that all insurers in the individual and small group market provide at least a minimum level of coverage with guaranteed issue, no pre-existing condition limitations, and with no variation in premiums by health status.