SB0059 and HB0107 would create a special enrollment period for individuals who become employed by a small employer that does not offer their employees health benefit plans. The enrollment window would be open for 60 days after the employee’s first day of employment. Additionally, these bills would allocate funding until 2029 for marketing and outreach for this special enrollment period.
Public health advocates are pushing for a bill that would provide up to $45 million in subsidies each year for Maryland’s small businesses and nonprofits to provide their employees with health insurance. SB632, which is sponsored by Sen. Katie Fry Hester, D-Carroll and Howard, aims to establish a Small Business and Nonprofit Health Insurance Subsidies .
The state’ s marketplace for health insurance has extended open enrollment through February to allow more people affected by the coronavirus pandemic to sign up. The insurance, known as Obamacare, was created largely for people who do not get coverage from their employers. Enrollment began Nov. 1 and was scheduled to end Jan. 15, but will now run until Feb. 28.