January 9th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Maryland lawmakers want to revive the individual mandate for health care that has been gutted in Washington and turn it into a down payment for people to get insurance in the state.
State lawmakers outlined the plan Tuesday, a day before Maryland’s legislative session begins. The federal tax overhaul approved last month removed the penalty that was charged to people without health insurance.
Under the Maryland proposal, when the uninsured file 2020 state tax returns, they will receive notice that unless they would rather pay the penalty, the money would be used as a down payment for health insurance.
Supporters say more than 200,000 uninsured would be affected. They also say the proposal helps people who buy insurance directly, because it will help hold down rates.
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