Bill > SB965

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to collect and compile detailed annual data on the costs of women's healthcare services, specifically focusing on birth, postpartum care, pregnancy care, and abortion. The purpose is to better understand the financial impact of these services on individuals, providers, and the state, while also informing public policy decisions and promoting transparency in healthcare spending. Beginning in December 2025, the Department must submit a comprehensive report to the General Assembly and publish it on their website, which will include aggregated cost data for each care category, comparative regional data within Maryland, trend analysis of care costs, and potential recommendations for improving cost efficiency. The bill mandates that healthcare providers and hospitals develop a standardized data collection system, ensuring that all patient data is anonymized and de-identified to protect individual privacy. The data collection will cover various aspects of women's healthcare, including delivery costs, complications, neonatal care, postpartum medical visits, mental health support, routine obstetric visits, prenatal care, diagnostic services, and abortion-related expenses. Importantly, the report will not include any personally identifiable information and will comply with federal and state privacy laws, including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0965?ys=2025RS