Maryland

July 8, 2025 By Sirein Awadalla of Progressive Maryland and OPS

State-based SP organizations

Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition https://www.facebook.com/MDPHcoalition/  (coalition partners listed at Facebook site)

Maryland Healthcare For All! Coalition: https://healthcareforall.com/about-us/

Our Revolution, Maryland  (http://ourrevolutionmd.com/) (Strong ally of the coalition)

Healthcare is a Human Right Maryland (https://healthcareisahumanright.org/maryland/– various chapters

National SP organizations

PNHP Maryland; National Nurses United, People’s Action, Public Citizen, Our Revolution, Social Security Works (all allies of the coalition. Many working on national bills rather than the state bills).

State-based SP bills

None since 2019, Healthy Maryland Act (SB 871) Introduced by Senator Pinsky and 11 others 2/7/19 and HB 1087-Introduced by Delegates Barron, Acevero, Pena-Melnyk, and 29 others. 2/8/19

They were never brought to a vote.

Related Legislation

SB0228  Bill to establish a Commission on Universal Health Care which would be required to develop a plan to establish UHC through Single Payer on or before Oct. 1, 2028 (interim report, June 1, 2027). Would stay in effect for 4 years. (Note: this is not a SP plan, but perhaps a precursor to one.) http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0228?ys=2020RS

Status: 

Obstacles to state-based SP in the current context

  • Legislative effort at state based single payer in MD has not gone forward

  • Strong national groups in MD doing excellent work for national program but some actively discourage state-based initiative.

Advantages for SP in current context

  • Strong coalition Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition, working at both state and national levels.

  • Healthy Maryland bills in general assembly several times since 2012 Maryland Health Security Act.

  • Several strong single-payer legislative allies (now that Sen Pinsky has left the Senate, Delegates Acevero and Pena-Melnyk are taking lead. There is work toward a single payer hearing in Pena-Melnyk’s health committee in Annapolis, MD.

Goals for SP movement in MD 2025-26

Town Halls, educational events, public outreach, local resolutions: all specific to Congressional Districts of Congressmen who have not co-sponsored HR 3069 (e.g. Hoyer)

Where can people find news about Single Payer in your state and/or join a group? 

Maryland Healthcare Coalition https://www.facebook.com/MDPHcoalition/   Also Instagram.  

Our Revolution, Maryland  (http://ourrevolutionmd.com/)  (Hal Ginsberg)

(and other groups listed above and at MDPHCoalition Facebook page) 

#MovingMarylandForward

Healthcare-Now of Maryland  http://www.mdsinglepayer.org