Advocacy

Maryland General Assembly 2025 Legislative Session

 The Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA) educates and advocates for the optimal health and wellness of rural Marylanders at the federal, state, and local levels. If you want to get involved or ask MRHA for support, please get in touch with Jonathan Dayton, MRHA Executive Director, at jdayton@mdruralhealth.org.

2025 Supported Bills, Maryland General Assembly:

SB0216/HB0019 Health Occupations - Nursing - Loan Repayment, Education, and Sunset Extension (Building Opportunities for Nurses Act of 2025)
SB0456/HB0265 Dental Services - Qualification for Maryland Dent-Care Program and Study on Use of Dental Online Credentialing
SB0094/HB0553 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring
SB0111/HB0382 Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Step Therapy, Fail-First Protocols, and Prior Authorization - Prescription to Treat Serious Mental Illness
SB0129/HB0474 Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity - Advisory Committee and Hospital Reporting
SB0277/HB0466 Health Equality for Service Members Act
SB0328/HB0665 Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Visits - Coverage and Reimbursement
SB0393/HB0529 Health Insurance - Prescription Drug Formularies and Coverage for Generic Drugs and Biosimilars
SB0374/HB0459 Health Insurance – Cancer Screening for Professional Firefighters – Required Coverage (James “Jimmy” Malone Act)
SB0492 Maryland Commission to Study the Dental Hygienist Shortage - Establishment
SB0560 Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity - Membership and Purposes
SB0448 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Self-Directed Mental Health Services - Pilot Program
SB0372/HB0869 Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025
HB1199 Physicians - Licensing - Internationally Trained Physicians
SB0174/HB0345 Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact
HB1474 Licensed Professional Counselors - Telehealth - Students Enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education