Legislation - SB0496

Title: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity
Sponsored by: Senators Hershey and Lam
Status: In the House - Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note

Synopsis

Authorizing, beginning January 1, 2027, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to provide notice to Program recipients if the Department elects to provide the comprehensive coverage; and requiring the Maryland Department of Health to report by November 1, 2027, to certain committees of the General Assembly on whether the Maryland Medical Assistance Program has begun to provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment.

Committees

Original:: Finance Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Health

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0813

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/02/2026 Legislative Date 2/02/2026 Action First Reading Finance Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/03/2026 Legislative Date 2/03/2026 Action Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Favorable Report by Finance Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Favorable Adopted Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Floor Amendment {533126/1 (Senator Lam) Adopted Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/07/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (43-0) Proceedings 46 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/24/2026 Legislative Date 3/11/2026 Action Referred Health Proceedings 48AClick to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/24/2026 Legislative Date 3/24/2026 Action Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	2/02/2026	2/02/2026	First Reading Finance
			Text - First - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity
Senate	2/03/2026	2/03/2026	Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/23/2026	Favorable Report by Finance
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Favorable Adopted	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Floor Amendment {533126/1 (Senator Lam) Adopted	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	45 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity
Senate	3/23/2026	3/07/2026	Third Reading Passed (43-0)	46 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/24/2026	3/11/2026	Referred Health	48AClick to view Recorded Media
House	3/24/2026	3/24/2026	Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.

File Code

Subjects

Statutes