HB 634

Association Health Coverage Plans

Sponsor: Delegate BeitzelCommittee: Health and Government OperationsSubject: Insurance - HealthStatus: Hearing 3/11 at 1:30 p.m. (as of Dec 1, 2021)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Clarifying that, for purposes of provisions of law concerning health insurance, a chamber of commerce may be considered an association; repealing certain provisions of law that apply certain provisions of law governing small group market plans to health benefit plans offered by certain entities; applying the Act to policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2022; etc.

AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.

Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (22)

MGA witness list

FAV 8FavorableFWA 5Favorable with amendmentsUNF 7UnfavorableINFO 2Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Beitzel, Wendell	Delegate	Position only
FAV	Price, Sarahlobbyist	Maryland Retailers Association	Oral
FAV	Graf, Marji	Rockville Chamber of Commerce, Inc.	Written (PDF)
FAV	Matthews, Dakota	Rural Maryland Council	Written (PDF)
FAV	Stern, Andy	The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Frey, Paul	Washington County Chamber of Commerce	Written (PDF)
FAV	Christian, Nicole	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Beitzel, Delegate Beitzellegislator	Individual	Oral
UNF	Collins, Jocelynlobbyist	American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network	Written (PDF)
UNF	Hale, Lauralobbyist	American Heart Association	Written (PDF)
UNF	Popham, Brysonlobbyist	Bryson F. Popham, P.A.	Written (PDF)
UNF	Rivkin, Deborahlobbyist	CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield	Written (PDF)
UNF	Taylor, Allisonlobbyist	Kaiser Permanente	Written (PDF)
UNF	O'Connor, Patricia	Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU)	Written (PDF)
UNF	Casper, Alekslobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FWA	McCoy, Juli	Allegany County Chamber of Commerce	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Guy, Randy	Commissioners of St. Mary's County	Written (PDF)
FWA	Ferguson, Colby	Maryland Farm Bureau	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Raley Jr., James K.	President, St. Mary's County Farm Bureau, Inc.	Written (PDF)
FWA	Atticks, Kevinlobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
INFO	Bennardi, Maryland Department of Health /Office of Governmen	Maryland Dept. of Health	Written (PDF)
INFO	Paddy, Michaellobbyist	Maryland Insurance Administration	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Allegany County Chamber of CommerceFWA 1

American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkUNF 1

American Heart AssociationUNF 1

Bryson F. Popham, P.A.UNF 1

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShieldUNF 1

Commissioners of St. Mary's CountyFWA 1

DelegateFAV 1

Kaiser PermanenteUNF 1

Maryland Dept. of HealthINFO 1

Maryland Farm BureauFWA 1

Maryland Insurance AdministrationINFO 1

Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU)UNF 1

Maryland Retailers AssociationFAV 1

President, St. Mary's County Farm Bureau, Inc.FWA 1

Rockville Chamber of Commerce, Inc.FAV 1

Rural Maryland CouncilFAV 1

The Greater Bethesda Chamber of CommerceFAV 1

Washington County Chamber of CommerceFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVPrice, SarahMaryland Retailers AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Retailers Alliance; Maryland Retailers Association

UNFCollins, JocelynAmerican Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkRegistered for: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Bard College; Campaign to Protect Patient Health d/b/a Value of Care Coalition; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; HealthCare Access Maryland…

UNFHale, LauraAmerican Heart AssociationRegistered for: American Heart Association

UNFPopham, BrysonBryson F. Popham, P.A.Registered for: Agency Insurance Company of Maryland; Agency Services, Inc.; Army Alliance; Bryson F. Popham P.A.; Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Baltimore (BOMA); CVS Health…

UNFRivkin, DeborahCareFirst BlueCross BlueShieldRegistered for: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

UNFTaylor, AllisonKaiser PermanenteRegistered for: Kaiser Permanente

UNFCasper, AleksRegistered for: American Lung Association

FWAAtticks, KevinRegistered for: Brewers Association of Maryland; Maryland Distillers Guild; Maryland Wineries Association

INFOPaddy, MichaelMaryland Insurance AdministrationRegistered for: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Campaign to Protect Patient Health d/b/a Value of Care Coalition; Chase Brexton Health System; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition; Gaudenzia, Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.…