Maryland in a Minute – July
July 28, 2026
The Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) did not hold a meeting in August. The Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2026. Information on past and upcoming HSCRC meetings, including meeting materials, can be found here.
Maryland Awards $80M to Transform Rural Health Care
The Maryland Department of Health announced $80 million in first-round funding to 41 grantees through Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The investment is focused on expanding access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services while supporting innovative approaches to improve quality and reduce healthcare costs.
Funded initiatives include telehealth hub-and-spoke models, virtual and mobile pediatric specialty care, integrated behavioral health and primary care, and new technologies to address oral health needs. The State estimates these investments will expand primary care access to tens of thousands of rural Maryland residents.
The funding is part of Maryland’s broader $168 million federal Rural Health Transformation Program award, with funding renewable over five years.
Campaign Pushes for Prescription Drug Cost Caps in Maryland
Maryland Health Care For All has launched a statewide campaign urging candidates for the General Assembly and governor to support expanding the authority of Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to establish upper payment limits for high-cost prescription drugs.
The proposal would align certain Maryland drug payment limits with the Maximum Fair Prices negotiated by Medicare and would apply to purchasers including consumers, insurers, and state and local governments.
Beginning in January 2027, PDAB is expected to impose upper payment limits for state and local government purchases of Ozempic and Jardiance, with estimated annual savings of approximately $5.8 million and $320,000, respectively. The Board will have authority to extend those limits to all Maryland purchasers beginning in 2028.
Key Date: The coalition has asked candidates to indicate support for the proposed legislation by September 30, 2026.
Upcoming Events – Register Here!
- 9/16/26 12-1 pm Cracking the Code: 2027 ICD-10-CM Changes, Manager, Heather Dunlap, CPC, CDEO, CEMC, CRC, CHONC, Webinar, Register Here!
MD HFMA Calendar – Maryland Healthcare Financial Management Association
- 9/23/26 CY 2027 OPPS Proposed Rule: What’s Likely to Land, and What It Means for Region 4, Webinar, Register Here!
- 9/24-9/25/26 HFMA Maryland Fall Conference 2026, Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Register Here!
- 9/30-10/2/26 Virginia/DC HFMA Fall Conference, Virginia Beach, VA (final venue details to be confirmed), Registration Coming Soon!
MAHQ Calendar – Maryland Association for Healthcare Quality
- 9/18/26 12 -1 pm How to Run a Rapid Performance Improvement Workshop (RPIW), Robin Larrimore, M.S., LSSBB, University of Maryland Medical Center, Webinar, Register Here!
MHA Calendar – Maryland Hospital Association
- 9/09/26 1- 4:30 pm HSCRC Commission Meeting Public Meeting
MHEI Calendar – Maryland Healthcare Education Institute
- 9/16/26 9 – 3:00 pm HCAHPS 2.0: Moving from Understanding to Action, 6820 Deerpath Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075, Register Here!
- 9/24/26 8:30 – 4:00 pm TJC & CMS Infection Prevention & Control Overview, 6820 Deerpath Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075, Register Here!
- 10/27/26 8:30 – 4:00 pm TJC & CMS Update 2026, 6820 Deerpath Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075, Register Here!
Connect With Us
We’re committed to supporting your success. If you have any questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Learn more about our healthcare consulting, interim support, regulatory readiness, workflow optimization, risk management, and advisory services.
Need Expert Healthcare Guidance, Without a Large Consulting Engagement? Kohler HealthCare Consulting’s Advisory Assistance Program provides on-demand access to experienced healthcare consultants for compliance, coding, regulatory, operational, quality, and accreditation questions. Get timely, expert guidance to support informed decision-making, reduce risk, and address complex challenges, without the commitment of a large consulting engagement. [email protected]
