Bill > HB474

This bill establishes a new Health Equity Measures Advisory Committee within the Maryland Commission on Health Equity to address health disparities across the state. The committee, composed of representatives from various healthcare and community stakeholders, will be responsible for identifying the 10 most significant healthcare disparities affecting vulnerable populations, which include racial and ethnic minorities, unhoused individuals, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Starting in 2025, all licensed hospitals in Maryland will be required to submit annual Health Equity Reports that analyze disparities in health status and care access, broken down by factors such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. These reports must also include a comprehensive health equity strategy with measurable objectives to reduce disparities, focusing on priority areas like person-centered care, patient safety, social determinants of health, effective treatment, care coordination, and access to care. Hospital systems with multiple facilities must provide both individual and aggregated reports, and these reports will be published on both the individual hospital's website and the Maryland Department of Health's website. The bill aims to create a structured approach to understanding and addressing healthcare inequities in Maryland, with the committee providing recommendations to the state Secretary about these reports.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0474?ys=2025RS