AARP Maryland Advocacy Update

AARP Maryland Advocacy Update- Feb. 3 to 7, 2025

With the 2025 Legislative Session in full-swing, AARP Maryland volunteer advocates are following nearly 100 bills that would impact older Marylanders and their families.

This week, our volunteers and staff are weighing in with in-person testimony on legislation addressing voting, behavioral health, long-term care, paid family leave, prescription drug affordability, utility rate hikes, telehealth, virtual currency kiosks, and more.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Voting
Volunteer Charlesetta Griffin from AARP Maryland’s Suitland Chapter 939 will testify in support of HB317 Election Law – Curbside Voting – Pilot Program.

Behavioral Health
AARP Maryland Executive Council member Dr. Lois Meszaros will offer support for SB328 MD Medical Assistance Program & Health Insurance-Annual Behavioral Wellness Visits-Coverage and Reimbursement.

Healthcare
In addition to volunteer voices, AARP Maryland Senior Advocacy Director Tammy Bresnahan will testify in favor of:

• HB520 State Personnel - Job Sharing Arrangements and Tri-Position Identification Number System (Maryland Workforce Retention, Recruitment, and Reentry Act) SB367 MD Medical Assist Program-Supportive Housing & Health Services
• HB376 Health Facilities – Delegation of Authority-Nursing Homes
• SB407 State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Telehealth
Volunteer Jim Gutman, a retired health insurance industry journalist, will provide testimony in support of SB372 Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025.

Voting
Former delegate and current AARP volunteer Jim Campbell will support SB66 Election Law- Polling Place Procedures -Voting by Elderly Voters w/Disabilities (Accessible and Expedited Voting Act of MD).

Family Leave
AARP Maryland Senior Advocacy Director Tammy Bresnahan will testify in opposition of SB355 Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Delay.

Elder Financial Abuse
Tammy Bresnahan will support SB466 Vulnerable and Senior Adults - Theft of Property by Caregiver, Family Member, or Household Member – Prohibition Pres.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Behavioral Health
Dr. Lois Meszaros will support HB665 MD Medical Assistance Program & Health Insurance – Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Visits – Coverage & Reimbursement

AARP Maryland Senior Advocacy Director Tammy Bresnahan will testify in support of:

Prescription Drug Affordability
HB424 Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Authority for Upper Payment Limits (Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Now Act) and SB357 PDAB-Authority for Upper Payment Limits

Nursing Homes
HB429 Health Facilities - Delegation of Inspection Authority - Nursing Homes

Virtual Currency
SB305 Financial Institutions & Activities-Virtual Currency Kiosks-Registration & Regulation

Every session, AARP Maryland volunteer advocates are a formidable presence in the halls of the State House. In 2024, 33 measures benefitting older Marylanders and their families were enacted with the active support of Maryland’s 800,000+ AARP members.

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