Improving Access to Healthcare and Health Literacy
In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. Under the Maryland Health Benefit Act of 2011, Maryland established the legal authority to operate a state-based exchange, which in turn created Maryland Health Connection (MHC). MHC provides a one-stop shop for residents to purchase private health insurance through Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) and have access to premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions or apply for coverage through the state’s Medicaid programs. In 2013, Prince Georges’ County, Department of Social Services (DSS) in partnership with the County Health Department also launched activities in support of the ACA. Prince George’s County Health Connection (PGCHC) identifies eligible residents, promotes the benefits of health insurance and motivates consumers to choose the plan that best meets their need.
Cultural Competency Training and Other Health Disparities
Reduction Activities
In response to two statutes signed into law by the Governor of Maryland in spring 2012, The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD) sought an independent contractor to synthesize and perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of survey data and to prepare a publishable quality report of results from the analysis. The survey data were collected from institutions of higher education in the State of Maryland offering programs necessary for the licensing of health care professionals in the state in 2013. The statutes required these institutions to report on the actions taken to reduce health disparities; specifically, the statutes requires universities, colleges, higher education programs of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, social work, public health and allied health in the state to report on courses that they have developed, either independently or in collaboration with the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities “to address the problem of racial and ethnic disparities in health care access, utilization, treatment decisions, quality, and outcomes.”
Education and Enrolling the Uninsured and Underinsured
DC Health Link was created and is governed by the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX). The HBX was established as a requirement of Section 3 of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Act of 2011, effective March 3, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-0094). The mission of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority is to implement a health care exchange program in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), thereby ensuring access to quality and affordable health care to all DC residents. DC Health Link is the name of the DC Health Benefit Exchange program. On August 13, 2013, the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Board approved conditional grants to 35 DC-based organizations to provide in-person expert assistance to individuals, families, and small businesses looking to enroll in health insurance coverage through DC Health Link, the District’s new online health insurance marketplace and to facilitate efforts to spread awareness, educate, and enroll uninsured and underinsured residents.
Federal