The Maryland General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session concluded with a few impactful health care bills. The two bills below, signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday, represent significant steps in improving health care accessibility and affordability for Maryland residents.
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Now Act
This bill increases the authority of Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Created by the General Assembly in 2019, the board was the nation’s first independent body with authority to review affordability of drug prices and recommend ways to address high costs, including setting upper limits on what Marylanders would pay for them.
The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board has authority to set the upper payment limits for high-cost prescription drugs used by individuals on state and local government health plans. The new law now allows the board to set an upper payment limit on all high-cost prescription medications purchased by individuals on private insurance plans. It specifically excludes any purchases where federal law preempts state law, Medicare Part D, for example, Tricare or the federal employee health benefit program.
Federally Qualified Health Centers Grant Program - Acquisition of Land
This bill modifies the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) Grant Program administered by the Maryland Board of Public Works. The program currently makes grants to counties, municipal corporations and nonprofit organizations for various purposes related to health centers, such as converting public buildings, acquiring existing buildings, renovating facilities, purchasing equipment and planning new centers.
The legislation allows the grant program to be used to acquire land where an FQHC will be constructed or used. These health centers are community-based and receive federal funding to provide primary care services to underserved areas. The program’s expansion would take effect Oct. 1.
By increasing funding and operational support, supporters of the bill hope it will reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for underserved Maryland communities. The legislation does not increase the amount of state money available to fund the program.
The two bills represent a significant commitment by Maryland lawmakers to making health care more affordable and accessible to its residents. The Miles & Stockbridge health care team will continue to monitor developments as the laws are implemented and are available to answer health care providers’ questions about the legislation.
Opinions and conclusions in this post are solely those of the author unless otherwise indicated. The information contained in this blog is general in nature and is not offered and cannot be considered as legal advice for any particular situation. The author has provided the links referenced above for information purposes only and by doing so, does not adopt or incorporate the contents. Any federal tax advice provided in this communication is not intended or written by the author to be used, and cannot be used by the recipient, for the purpose of avoiding penalties which may be imposed on the recipient by the IRS. Please contact the author if you would like to receive written advice in a format which complies with IRS rules and may be relied upon to avoid penalties.
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