SB 837

Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Coverage and Utilization Review - Drugs Reviewed by the Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Sponsor: Justin Ready (District 5)Committee: FinanceSubject: Health - InsuranceStatus: Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Prohibiting a managed care organization and certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations from requiring a prior authorization or step therapy or fail-first protocol under certain circumstances for prescription drugs that have been reviewed by the Prescription Drug Affordability Board; etc.

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Testimony (27)

MGA witness list

FAV 16FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 9UnfavorableINFO 1Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Gutmann, April	Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Lathan, Vanessa	EACH/PIC	Oral
FAV	Miller, Sam	Infusion Access Foundation	Written (PDF)
FAV	Whitaker, Jakelobbyist	Maryland Hospital Association	Written (PDF)
FAV	Ready, Justin	Maryland State Senate	Written (PDF)
FAV	Schulz, Kelly	Maryland Tech Council	Oral
FAV	Zirkle, Andrewlobbyist	Maryland Tech Council	Oral
FAV	Paddy, Michaellobbyist	Public Policy Partners	Oral
FAV	Flowers, Derek	Value of Care Coalition	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Boyer, Kindyl	Individual	Oral
FAV	Horn, Melissa	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kauffman, Dannalobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kosh, Jacquean	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Senator Ready, Senator Readylegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Sienna, Joan	Individual	Position only
FAV	Vetter, Drew	Individual	Written (PDF)
UNF	Lake, Keith	AHIP - Washington, DC	Written (PDF)
UNF	Robinson, Kimberlylobbyist	CareFirst BlueCross BlueSheild	Oral
UNF	Taylor, Allisonlobbyist	Kaiser Permanente	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Lynch, Meghan	Maryland Department of Health	Written (PDF)
UNF	Winn, Josephlobbyist	Maryland Managed Care Organization Association	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Shaklee, Christina	Maryland PDAB	Written (PDF)
UNF	Celentano, Matthewlobbyist	The League of Life and Health Insurers of Maryland	Oral
UNF	Lerol, Travis	Travis Lerol	Position only
UNF	DeMarco, Vincentlobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Cross, Dr Cashenna A	Councilwoman At-Large, Glenarden	Written (PDF)
INFO	Westrick, Saralobbyist	AARP Maryland	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

AARP MarylandINFO 1

AHIP - Washington, DCUNF 1

CareFirst BlueCross BlueSheildUNF 1

Councilwoman At-Large, GlenardenFWA 1

Diabetes Patient Advocacy CoalitionFAV 1

EACH/PICFAV 1

Infusion Access FoundationFAV 1

Kaiser PermanenteUNF 1

Maryland Department of HealthUNF 1

Maryland Hospital AssociationFAV 1

Maryland Managed Care Organization AssociationUNF 1

Maryland PDABUNF 1

Maryland State SenateFAV 1

Maryland Tech CouncilFAV 2

Public Policy PartnersFAV 1

The League of Life and Health Insurers of MarylandUNF 1

Travis LerolUNF 1

Value of Care CoalitionFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVWhitaker, JakeMaryland Hospital AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Hospital Association

FAVZirkle, AndrewMaryland Tech CouncilRegistered for: Technology Council of Maryland, Inc.

FAVPaddy, MichaelPublic Policy PartnersRegistered 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.…

FAVKauffman, 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…

UNFRobinson, KimberlyCareFirst BlueCross BlueSheildRegistered for: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Cigna Corporate Services, LLC

UNFTaylor, AllisonKaiser PermanenteRegistered for: Kaiser Permanente

UNFWinn, JosephMaryland Managed Care Organization AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Managed Care Organization Association; United Healthcare Services, Inc.

UNFCelentano, 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…

UNFDeMarco, VincentRegistered for: Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, Inc.; Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative Education Fund

INFOWestrick, SaraAARP MarylandRegistered for: AARP Maryland