HB 944

Maryland Health Care Commission - Certificates of Need and Material Change Transactions

Sponsor: Bonnie Cullison (District 19)Committee: HealthSubject: Health Care Facilities and RegulationStatus: Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Repealing the exemption from the certificate of need requirement for certain mergers; requiring certain health care entities to provide certain notice of a material change transaction to the Maryland Health Care Commission and the public; establishing a public interest review process for material change transactions, including criteria for determining whether a material change transaction is subject to a public interest review; etc.

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Testimony (26)

MGA witness list

FAV 13FavorableFWA 4Favorable with amendmentsUNF 5UnfavorableINFO 4Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Westrick, Saralobbyist	AARP Maryland	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	DeMarco, Jamie	DeMarco Advocacy	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Cullison, Bonnie	Delegate Bonnie Cullison	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kirk Robins, Catherinelobbyist	Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, Inc.	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Roques, Carmel	Maryland Department of Aging	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jacobs, Douglas	Maryland Health Care Commission	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Written (PDF)
FAV	Peters, Meganlobbyist	Maryland Senior Citizens Action Network (MSCAN)	Written (PDF)
FAV	Martin, Dan	Mental Health Association of Maryland	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kaplowitz, Richard KAP	Year	Written (PDF)
FAV	(MD), State of Maryland	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Cullison, Delegate Cullisonlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Kabara, Ilona	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	Allen, Hannahlobbyist	Maryland Chamber of Commerce	Written (PDF)
UNF	Nicklas, Andrewlobbyist	Maryland Hospital Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Tilburg, Will	University of Maryland Medical System	Written (PDF)
UNF	Edney, Mark	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Wise, Steve	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Quigley, Tinnalobbyist	CareFirst	Oral
FWA	Taylor, Allisonlobbyist	Kaiser Permanente	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Celentano, Matthewlobbyist	The League of Life and Health Insurers of Maryland	Oral
FWA	Partners, Public Policy	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
INFO	Shattuck, Daniellobbyist	Brocato & Shattuck	Oral
INFO	Hostert, Nathan	Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research, Brown University	Written (PDF)
INFO	Williams, Irnise	OAG	Written (PDF)
INFO	Kauffman, Dannalobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

AARP MarylandFAV 1

Brocato & ShattuckINFO 1

CareFirstFWA 1

Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research, Brown UniversityINFO 1

Delegate Bonnie CullisonFAV 1

DeMarco AdvocacyFAV 1

Kaiser PermanenteFWA 1

Maryland Chamber of CommerceUNF 1

Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, Inc.FAV 1

Maryland Department of AgingFAV 1

Maryland Health Care CommissionFAV 1

Maryland Hospital AssociationUNF 1

Maryland Legislative CoalitionFAV 1

Maryland Senior Citizens Action Network (MSCAN)FAV 1

Mental Health Association of MarylandFAV 1

OAGINFO 1

The League of Life and Health Insurers of MarylandFWA 1

University of Maryland Medical SystemUNF 1

YearFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVWestrick, SaraAARP MarylandRegistered for: AARP Maryland

FAVKirk Robins, CatherineMaryland Citizens' Health Initiative, Inc.Registered for: Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, Inc.

FAVPeters, MeganMaryland Senior Citizens Action Network (MSCAN)Registered for: Alzheimer's Association

UNFAllen, HannahMaryland Chamber of CommerceRegistered for: Maryland Chamber of Commerce

UNFNicklas, AndrewMaryland Hospital AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Hospital Association; Adventist HealthCare, Inc.

FWAQuigley, TinnaCareFirstRegistered for: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

FWATaylor, AllisonKaiser PermanenteRegistered for: Kaiser Permanente

FWACelentano, MatthewThe League of Life and Health Insurers of MarylandRegistered for: 38 Degrees North; Advanced Energy United; Alliance of Maryland Dental Plans; Allstate Insurance Company; America's Health Insurance Plans; American Council of Life Insurers…

INFOShattuck, DanielBrocato & ShattuckRegistered for: Acorn Health; American Physical Therapy Association Maryland - APTA MD; Arthritis & Rheumatism Associates, P.C.; Associates in Radiation Medicine; League for People with Disabilities, The; Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics…

INFOKauffman, DannaRegistered for: Amazon.com Services, LLC; American Association of Dental Boards c/o Commission on Dental Competency Assessments; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Behavioral Health System Baltimore; City of Rockville; Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland…