MD General Assembly Expands Healthcare Coverage

After a year-long grassroots campaign, several progressive healthcare measures were passed during the Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly, reports 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “These victories are for the working families of Maryland, people like our members who know first-hand about the problems of health care in this state,” said John Reid, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Health Care Workers East, Maryland-DC Division. The measures include the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, increased funding for health coverage from new tobacco taxes, and the possibility of $50 million to restructure the Prince George’s Hospital system, based on future progress of Prince George's County leaders or the General Assembly to create a long-term, comprehensive solution. “People told us that they needed better coverage and this goes a long way toward seeing that their needs will be met,” said Carolyn Turner, a worker at Overlea Health and Rehabilitation in Baltimore and organizer on the grassroots campaign.