Bill > HB1251

This bill, known as the Edna G. Neal Palliative Care Act, mandates that starting October 1, 2027, certain healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, must provide patients with access to a dedicated palliative care program and inform them about its availability at key points like diagnosis of a serious illness, during treatment planning, and upon hospital admission. Palliative care is defined as specialized medical care focused on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress for individuals with serious illnesses to improve their quality of life, and this bill requires the Department of Health to establish minimum standards for its delivery, covering staffing, training, and quality assurance. Furthermore, beginning January 1, 2027, insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations must provide coverage for palliative care services, including physician and nursing care, counseling, pain management, home-based care, and social work support, and this coverage cannot be denied if a patient is still undergoing curative treatment or limited only to end-of-life care, with cost-sharing requirements for palliative care generally not exceeding those for comparable medical services, except for high-deductible health plans.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1251?ys=2026RS