1. Health Care Reform: Get It Right for Maryland
Leni Preston, Chair
(301)
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

2. © 2012 Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform
About the Coalition
Nonpartisan alliance of individuals and 58 state-wide organizations, including Maryland Nonprofit members: Advocates for Children & Youth; League of Women Voters and YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
National Partners
Raising Women’s Voices
National Women’s Law Center
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

3. © 2012 Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform
Coalition Mission
Work collaboratively with our members and partners to seek solutions and advance reforms to ensure that every resident of Maryland has access to affordable, comprehensive & high quality health care that is always there.
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

4. How We Achieve Our Mission
Educate our members and supporters, elected officials and the public
Reach out to all potential allies of reform
Engage our members in the reform issues and debates
Advocate and take action, as a Coalition and as individuals, to bring quality, affordable health care to every resident in Maryland. 
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

5. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
A 3-Legged Stool:
Everyone is “in”
Personal responsibility
Affordability
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

6. The Health Benefit Exchange: A Health Insurance Supermarket
Exchange will describe each plan in a standard format
Monthly cost and co-pays
Plan performance on quality measures
Plan ratings by quality and price
Compare Apples to Apples
Can’t decide between a Fuji and a Rome? Get help!
Website
Telephone hotline
Navigators
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

7. Maryland: A National Leader
Commitment and Leadership
Effective Process:
Health Care Reform Coordinating Council;
Office of Health Care Reform; &
Health Benefit Exchange Board
Roadmap
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

8. Health Benefit Exchange Timeline
Landmark ACA Legislation signed into Law 3/23/2010 by President Obama
4/12/2011
Governor O’Malley Signed Health Benefit Exchange Act into Law
6/3/2011
Exchange Board 1st Meeting
9-11/2011 Advisory Committees Met
1/1/2013 Exchange Must be Certified by Federal Government
10/1/2013 Individuals and Groups Begin Enrolling in Exchange
1/1/2014 Maryland Health Benefit Exchange will be Operational
Source: A Report to the Governor and Maryland General Assembly
Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, December 23, 2011, p. 1
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

9. Maryland’s Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2011
Public corporation/independent unit of state government
9-member board
Key elements:
Reduce number of uninsured
Facilitate purchase and sale of Qualified Health Plans
Require cultural competency in all operations to ensure all populations can gain access
Financially self-sustainable
6 Legislative Studies
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

10. Creating the Exchange: Stakeholder Input
Four Advisory Committees
Operating Model (Market Rules & Risk Mitigation)
SHOP (Small Business Exchange)
Navigator Program (Marketing & Public Relations)
Financing
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

11. Creating the Exchange: Stakeholder Representation
Source: A Report to the Governor and Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
December 23, 2011, p. 2
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

12. Exchange Board Recommendations
Operating Model
Market Rules & Risk Mitigation
Dental Plans
Small Business Health Options (SHOP)
Navigator Program
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
Financing
Continuity of Care
Multi-State & Regional Contracting
Plan for Fraud, Waste and Abuse
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

13. What’s Next: 2012 Exchange Legislation
Operating Model: Set minimum QHP standards for certification with flexibility to modify in future
Navigators: Program models for Individual and SHOP Exchanges & Community Based Organization certification
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

14. © 2012 Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform
SHOP Recommendations
Create separate SHOP exchange.
Retain small group size at 50 until 2016.
Provide two options:
Employers select metal level & employees choose among carriers at that level
Employers select one carrier & employees select the metal level that meets their needs
Consider additional options in 2016
Analyze partnering options with existing resources to develop the Exchange.
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

15. © 2012 Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform
Other Issues to Track
Essential Health Benefits Package
Basic Health Plan – Program for those between 138% to 200% of Federal Poverty Level
Communications Plan
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

16. © 2012 Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform
Resources You Can Use
Maryland
Health Benefit Exchange
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP)
Health Care Reform Coordinating Council
Federal
Department of Health & Human Services
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

17. Stay Informed & Get Involved
Join us at our upcoming educational forums:
January 23rd in Annapolis
February 22nd in Frederick
To register and find out more, visit: MDHealthCareReform.org
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform

18. © 2012 Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform
Leni Preston, Chair
Phone: (301)
Website:
© Maryland Women’s Coalition For Health Care Reform