Bill > HB463

This bill establishes the Maryland Health Equity Resource Act. The key provisions of the bill are: - It requires the Community Health Resources Commission to establish a Pathways to Health Equity Program to provide grant funding to reduce health disparities, improve health outcomes, improve access to primary care, promote prevention services, and reduce health care costs and hospital admissions/readmissions. - It creates the Health Equity Resource Communities program, which allows the Commission to designate certain geographic areas as "Health Equity Resource Communities" to target resources to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes. The bill outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, and advisory committee for this program. - It establishes the Health Equity Resource Community Reserve Fund to provide grants and tax credits to support the Health Equity Resource Communities. This fund is supported by a portion of alcoholic beverage tax revenue. - It provides tax credits to health care practitioners and community health workers who practice in designated Health Equity Resource Communities. Overall, the bill aims to direct state resources and incentives to specific geographic areas with the goal of reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0463?ys=2021RS