Johns Hopkins Institutions

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Legislative Hotline

2008 SESSION OF THE
MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Here are some of the hot issues as the 2008 Legislative Session develops:

REVENUE WRITE-DOWN/BUDGET NEWS

CRF

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

BILLS INTRODUCED
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

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Revenue Write-Down/Budget News
The Board of Revenue Estimates released its updated projections of Maryland's revenue prospects last Thursday, March 6th.ï¿½ As expected, there is a slight decline in anticipated general fund revenue growth compared to the December forecast.ï¿½ New estimates project 4.8% growth for FY2008, rather than 5.3% as forecast in December, and 6.8% growth for FY2009 instead of 8.1%.ï¿½ This indicates a decline in expected revenue of $74.7 million in FY2008 and $258.2 million in FY2009 - for a total combined reduction of $332.9 million.ï¿½ The expected write-down in revenues will result in additional cuts to the budget, including most likely the deferral of some new spending in addition to some cuts in current programs.

On Friday, March 7^th, the full Budget and Taxation Committee accepted the operating budget recommendations made by the subcommittees during the prior week.ï¿½ For Johns Hopkins, the most pertinent issues include the Sellinger Program, stem cell research, the Cigarette Restitution Fund, and Medicaid funding.ï¿½ Because the Committee anticipated the increased "write-downs,” no additional cuts were made to programs that impact Johns Hopkins during today's decisions.ï¿½ However, they did accept a recommendation for a six month delay in the implementation of the Medicaid expansion and subsidy for provision of health insurance to small businesses that was enacted during the 2007 special session.

For more information, please contact: Tom Lewis

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CRF
The Governor's Supplemental Budget #1 has been submitted.ï¿½ It includes additional Cigarette Restitution Funds for the Academic Health Center's research grants, which are from a dedicated revenue account related to the tobacco settlement.ï¿½ If enacted by the General Assembly, this would provide an estimated additional $600,000 for Johns Hopkins' CRF cancer research grant in FY2009.ï¿½

For more information, please contact: Sheila Higdon

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Medical Malpractice
Two bills affecting medical malpractice were heard last week.ï¿½ Johns Hopkins testified with the Maryland Hospital Association and MedChi in favor of the first, which would make a genuine apology by a doctor inadmissible in malpractice cases.ï¿½ All testimony noted that the legislation is needed to support a climate in which doctors can freely discuss unexpected outcomes and expressions of sympathy with their patients.ï¿½ The second medical malpractice bill would increase the maximum amount of noneconomic damages allowed in a malpractice claim from 125% to 150% of the statutory limit ($650,000).ï¿½ Johns Hopkins submitted testimony opposing the cap increase, indicating that passage would cause a direct increase in medical malpractice insurance rates.

For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

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BILLS INTRODUCED

General Education

Health Care Facilities

BILLS INTRODUCED

General Education

HB1533ï¿½ Task Force to Study Health Disparities Among Minority Children with Learning Disabilities

This bill will create a Task Force to Study Health Disparities among Minority Children with Learning Disabilities.ï¿½ The task force will study the causes, extent, and nature of health disparities among minority children with documented learning disabilities; the extent of compliance of service providers to minority children with documented learning disabilities under the ADA; and how to improve access and delivery of services. The task force will consist of 15 members:ï¿½

ï¿½ one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate

ï¿½ one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House

ï¿½ two representatives of the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, appointed by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene

The following members appointed by the Governor:

ï¿½ one representative of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions

ï¿½ two representatives of the National Center for Health Behavior Change at Morgan State University

ï¿½ two neurologists with expertise in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other learning disabilities

ï¿½ two parents of adolescent children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or another learning disability

ï¿½ two adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The task force will be required to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on December 31, 2008.

Effective Date:ï¿½ June 1, 2008

For more information, please contact:ï¿½ Delora Sanchez

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Health Care Facilities

SB1007ï¿½ Prince George's County Hospital Authority

This emergency bill establishes the Prince George’s County Hospital Authority as a State entity.ï¿½ Notwithstanding any contractual provisions between Dimensions Health Corporation and the county, the authority is authorized to acquire or transfer any health care facilities and leasehold rights held or operated by Dimensions; seek a new owner or operator for any facility operated by Dimensions; engage in new health care activities; build or acquire new community-oriented health care facilities; and issue revenue bonds.ï¿½ The bill requires specified funding by the State each year from FY2010 through FY2014 of at least $10 million for operating costs, and from FY2010 through FY2015 of at least $13 million for capital.ï¿½ Prince George’s County is required to provide $17 million each year from FY2009 through FY2015 to be used by the Authority for the operating, capital, security for revenue bonds, or any other purpose consistent with the mission of the Authority.

Effective Date:ï¿½ Emergency Measure (Effective upon enactment)

For more information, please contact:ï¿½ Sheila Higdon

[Go to Top]ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [Go to Bills Introduced]

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STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact Government Relations if you have concerns or would like additional information. Your input assists us greatly in evaluating and formulating the position of Johns Hopkins on all legislation.

Legislative Session Office
47 State Circle, Suite 203
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-269-0057
fax 410-269-1574


ï¿½ï¿½ Mickey Geisler	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Matt Greenwood	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Sheila Higdon	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Corianne Iacovelli	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Tom Lewis	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Mat Palmer	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Delora Sanchez	[email protected]
ï¿½ï¿½ Ines Vigil	[email protected]
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[Go to Top]ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ [Go to Bills Introduced]

ACRONYMS

Legislative Hotline is a service of Johns Hopkins Government Affairs.

ï¿½ 2008 The Johns Hopkins Institutions. Baltimore, Maryland.
Office of Government, Community and Public Affairs.