WASHINGTON, DC — Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, including Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), John Sarbanes (MD-03), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Andy Harris (MD-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), David Trone (MD-06), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) met in the U.S. Capitol Tuesday with Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. The primary topic of the hourlong discussion was the future of the Maryland Model.A new, voluntary model by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation called the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model is likely to be the vehicle for the next iteration of the Maryland Model. This new, nationwide framework would test the effects that holding the state accountable for controlling health care cost growth have on improving population health and health equity there. The new Model builds on the work of state-based models, including the Maryland Total Cost of Care (TCOC) Model.Congressman Hoyer said. "I was pleased to meet with our Maryland delegation and Maryland Health Secretary Herrera Scott as a part of that shared mission. Much work remains to ensure all Marylanders can access the care they need to live long, healthy lives, and our delegation is united in its commitment to making progress on these crucial issues in the months and years to come." “Maryland has the best building blocks for health care in the country. As we move forward, we will work to ensure that whatever the next evolution of Maryland’s all-payer system may be that we do not jeopardize the key principles. We have one system of reimbursement across the state that allows Marylanders to receive care anywhere no matter your insurance card or if you even have insurance,” said Senator Cardin. “Team Maryland will continue to coordinate with state officials and the Biden administration to protect the quality of care that Marylanders have come to expect and deserve.”said Senator Van Hollen.
“Maryland’s hospitals are the envy of not only the country, but the world,” Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger said. “This is thanks, in no small way, to the all-payer model that ensures every Marylander receives quality and equitable care, regardless of their ability to pay. Our federal delegation is committed to supporting policies and securing resources that advance Maryland’s ability to reduce overall healthcare spending while improving overall care.”said Congressman Sarbanes. “I appreciate the opportunity to meet with Maryland Secretary of Health Herrera Scott and others yesterday to discuss how our model can continue to evolve to meet current and emerging health needs, better integrate behavioral care and drive more equitable health outcomes. I look forward to continuing to engage with the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland stakeholders and the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure a strong future for our state’s health care system.”said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. said Congressman Harris. As we work towards improving Maryland’s healthcare system, it is important that we focus on reducing obesity, which many reputable, health-based studies link to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and anxiety, as well as other health disorders. By investing resources in obesity reduction, we will in turn save billions of dollars in downstream healthcare costs and put Maryland on a path towards achieving more equitable healthcare outcomes. I am pleased that Secretary Herrera Scott expressed interest in exploring ways to reduce obesity in the AHEAD Model and look forward to working with her more on this important issue.“Congressman Ivey, said. a report evaluating its first three years.
