Celebrating our Victories

The 2011 Maryland General Assembly ended on April 12 and the two big items to celebrate are:

1)  The Smoking Exemption bill (HB 605) died in committee.   This is a  huge victory for tobacco control in our state.   Allowing smoking exemptions would have weaken our strong statewide smoke-free indoor air law and would have set a very bad precedent for our state, and 

2) The Health Care Exchange Bill passed. This bill establishes the governance, structure, and funding of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange as a public corporation and independent unit of government created to expand access to health care, facilitate the purchase and sale of qualified health plans in the individual market; assist qualified employers facilitating the enrollment of their employees in health care plans, assist individuals in accessing public health care programs.  

Unfortunately, the Tobacco Tax bill failed but the American Cancer Society will revisit this piece of legislation next year.  An end of session report will be available shortly. 

Thanks to all of our advocates who supported the American Cancer Society's Maryland Legislative priorities this year.  We truly appreciate your support.