Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 737

Bill Title: Health Care Coverage - Personal Responsibility

Bill Sponsor(s): Delegate Elliott, et al.

Subject: Health

Committee: HGO

Bill Summary: This bill would impose an income tax surcharge on individuals above certain income levels if they fail to provide evidence on their income tax return that they have health care coverage. Employers would also be required to set employee withholding at zero allowances for any employee expected to earn over $50,000 annually who does not participate in the employer's health insurance plan and fails to provide the employer with evidence of health care coverage.

History: This bill was considered by the General Assembly in 2005 and 2006, but died without a vote each year. In 2007 the Chamber supported HB 572, which was amended to be a study bill, and passed and was signed into law as Chapter 613.

Chamber Position: Support W/Amend

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber, through its 2008 Business Agenda, supports incentives to encourage higher income individuals to purchase health insurance. Reducing the number of uninsured will reduced the cost of uncompensated care that is shared by all employers.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.