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SB 561

Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Community Violence Prevention Services - Reimbursement and Provision of Services

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Charles Sydnor

SB 561 expands Maryland Medicaid to reimburse healthcare providers for community violence prevention services as covered medical assistance.

Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 561

Legislative bill overview

SB 561 would authorize Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to reimburse healthcare providers for community violence prevention services. The bill expands covered services to include interventions designed to reduce violence in communities, such as violence interruption programs, trauma-informed care coordination, and community-based prevention initiatives.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses a significant public health gap by treating community violence as a healthcare issue and leveraging Medicaid funding to support prevention efforts. Community violence prevention has emerged as a cost-effective strategy shown to reduce both violence and associated healthcare expenses, particularly in underserved urban communities where violence disproportionately impacts residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact: Expanding Medicaid reimbursement creates new state and federal expenditures; fiscal analysts will examine whether benefits justify costs compared to other healthcare priorities
  • Definitional clarity: The bill must clearly define which "community violence prevention services" qualify for reimbursement to ensure consistent implementation and prevent scope creep
  • Evidence standards: Questions may arise about requiring evidence-based outcomes versus funding programs with limited evaluation data, balancing innovation with accountability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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