By Steve Crane | Editor-in-chief
“We are disappointed that Marylanders will pay higher insurance premiums because of bad decisions by the Trump Administration and Congress, especially their failure to extend critically needed health care tax credits and cuts they made in eligibility. This is exacerbated by rising hospitalization and pharmaceutical costs. Maryland cannot continue to protect our people without additional state revenue for health care and action to rein in skyrocketing drug costs.” - Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All coalition, on Friday’s approval of another double-digit increase in health insurance premiums on the state marketplace.
The seasons change, but the insurance increases just seem to keep coming and the fight over redistricting just keeps churning on. Welcome to the first weekend of fall.
The good news is that the Maryland Insurance Administration rejected the full rate hike request for health insurance premiums next year for policies on the state’s marketplace. The bad news is that it still approved an average 14.6% increase in premiums, the second year of double-digit increases for marketplace customers, as insurers are buffeted by cuts in federal supports and steadily rising costs. Danielle J. Brown has that story.
The fight over ballot Question 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would change the way Maryland redraws congressional districts, heated up this week, with just six weeks to Election Day. First, there was a pair of competing surveys showing different levels of support for the measure, then there was the rally Friday by elected officials, union members and advocates pushing support for the ballot question, as William J. Ford reports.
There’s one other thing that, fortunately for us, doesn’t seem to change, and that’s the support of our readers, whose donations let us keep bringing you the news. Readers like Jane H. of University Park, Paul P. of Hagerstown, Evie A. of Chevy Chase and Art J. of Silver Spring. Thanks. We really could not do it without you.
You can show your support by heading to our donate page. In the meantime, you can catch up on the latest news and commentary, and look back on the headlines from a hectic week below. Enjoy!
Marylanders impacted by premium rate increases are urged to shop for plan options on the Maryland Health Connection. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)
By Danielle J. Brown
Marylanders who purchase individual health care plans on the state's insurance marketplace will see a second year of double-digit increases to their monthly healthcare costs, after state insurance officials said Friday they have approved a 14.6% average premium rate increase across plans in 2027.
For the 274,000 Marylanders who purchase plans on the state’s insurance market under the Affordable Care Act, called the Maryland Health Connection, the new approved rate increases will compound on last year’s 13.4% rate hike that was issued in response to the expiration of federal tax credits that helped keep some plans more affordable. Without those tax credits, more Marylanders struggle to afford their healthcare plans, leading some of them to downgrade their coverage or go without insurance, experts say, which further puts pressure on the healthcare system.
Insurance companies say the increased rates are needed to stay solvent and pay claims at a time when there is less federal funding to help offset rising healthcare and prescription drug costs.
Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Anne Arundel and Howard), backed by supporters of Question 3, speaks in support of the measure Friday during an event at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)
By William J. Ford
Democratic lawmakers, labor union officials and nonprofit leaders rallied in Baltimore on Friday to drum up support for ballot Question 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would remove state standards for drawing congressional districts.
The event came the same week that supporters and opponents of the measure released competing polls that showed mixed support for it. Backers at Friday's event said it is time to step up and start fighting for Question 3.
The rally came one day after Fight Back Maryland, a group working to pass Question 3, released a poll that said when voters were read the question as it appears on the ballot, 40% supported it, 35% said they opposed it and 25% were undecided. And that poll came just two days after Protect Maryland Votes, a group that opposes the change, released their own poll showing much less support for Question 3. According to the earlier poll, 41% of voters opposed the measure, 28% supported it and 31% were undecided. Both polls surveyed 600 likely Maryland voters over several days in mid-September, and both had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
IN OTHER NEWS
ICE detention center push wasted millions: Government auditors said the Trump administration wasted more than $20 million in its rapid push for immigration detention, including warehouse purchases strongly opposed in local communities like Hagerstown.
Virginia’s take on reining in data centers: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger last week unveiled a framework for reining in the data center industry, calling for tighter environmental regulations and for centers to pick up more energy costs, and more.
Lawmakers vow to continue fight for Port: Two and a half years after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, members of Maryland’s congressional delegation briefed on conditions at the Port of Baltimore vowed to keep pursuing investments in the port.
TODAY'S COMMENTARY
Despite what critics say, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board has not only made Maryland a leader in the fight for affordable drugs, writes Vincent DeMarco, it will save millions for state and local governments -- and could save Marylanders tens of millions.
MATTERS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
More money, more rough weather ahead: The Board of Revenue Estimates added $320 million to its revenues forecast for this year, but it also highlighted concerns about growing inflation and a sharp drop in tax withholdings in the first half of the coming year.
Blueprint changes could be coming: The board overseeing implementation of Maryland's sweeping education reform plan could propose some changes, even as another looming budget shortfall makes it a likely target for cuts to some lawmakers next year.
Questions about Question 3: One in four voters in a new poll were undecided on Question 3, the proposed constitutional amendment to remove state standards for drawing congressional districts. The reason may be the language of the amendment itself.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
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