Bill > HB297

This bill modifies Maryland's State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Program by removing the "Pilot" designation and eliminating its previous sunset date, effectively making the program permanent. The bill changes the program from a mandatory to a permissive initiative, allowing the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to decide whether to establish and implement the program. The program aims to provide health insurance subsidies to young adults aged 18-40 with incomes between 133% and 400% of the federal poverty level, with the goal of reducing health insurance costs for this demographic. The Exchange is authorized to designate funds for annual subsidies and is required to track program expenditures, including the number of participants and average subsidy amounts, and to report these details on its website. Importantly, the bill stipulates that the Exchange cannot implement the program in calendar years when funds from a specific assessment are not available. The legislation also maintains the Exchange's requirement to adopt regulations for the program, including provisions for covering 100% of premium costs for participants with zero expected contribution.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0297?ys=2025RS